As a record crowd of visitors and residents said goodbye to the Winter Witch last Saturday, they also welcomed the new Ephraim Fyr Bal chieftain.

Third-generation Ephraim resident B.D. Thorp was bestowed the honor at this year's Fyr Bal, the village's take on a traditional Scandinavian midsummer festival.

Thorp was recognized for his efforts to preserve Ephraim's historic character, most recently by painting over graffiti on the Anderson Dock building. Over the years, he also has served on multiple municipal committees and volunteered with Ephraim Moravian Church.

As chieftain, Thorp was escorted across Eagle Harbor before lighting the Fyr Bal bonfire along the village shoreline.

The ceremony was just part of a day full of activities, including a visit from the Door County Bookmobile, food-eating contests, Scandinavian dancers and fireworks.

The 62nd Ephraim Fyr Bal will take place June 19, 2027.

Picture courtesy of Ephraim Business Council

Little Sturgeon’s Robert Carmody Park and New Franken’s Bay Shore Park are being suggested as alternative boat launch sites once Chaudoir’s Dock closes for dredging operations next month.

The Door County Parks Department announced Wednesday that dredging operations will begin July 13.

This is the second phase of a dredging project with a price tag of more than $551,000. The project is being funded through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and county boat launch fees. The county completed the first phase of the project last spring.

During the dredging process, a turbidity barrier will remain in place at all times to protect water quality.

The county dock and boat launch will be closed for six to eight weeks because of the confined nature of the harbor and the presence of dredging equipment. Parking also will be restricted because dump trucks will be needed to remove dredged material from the area.

Door County Parks Director Wayne Spritka said earlier this month during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sugar Creek County Park that boat launches such as Chaudoir’s Dock are typically dredged on a 10-year cycle. He added that the county will take advantage of the closure to complete other projects at the popular park.

According to the county website, the outer entrance to the harbor was dredged in 2001, again in 2005 during bin wall repairs caused by ice damage, and once more in 2014 because of low water levels.

Picture courtesy of Door County

If your student enjoys what they hear at Birch Creek Music Performance Center, imagine if they were the ones who wrote it.

Birch Creek officials are developing a new music composition program that would take place during the Percussion, Steel Pan and World Music Summer Academy. Many of the pieces performed during the academy are original compositions written months before students step onto the organization's Egg Harbor campus. In addition to refining their percussion skills, students would also have the opportunity to learn how to compose the music they perform.

Percussion faculty member Peter Naughton is excited about the possibility of offering the program to future students.

This is the final weekend of the Percussion, Steel Pan and World Music Summer Academy, with performances scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

You can hear more from Naughton about the proposed composition program and this year's Percussion, Steel Pan and World Music Summer Academy by clicking this link.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the citizen group Potawatomi Advocates for Trees, Conservation and Heritage will be back in court next month as the legal battle over a road construction project resumes.

Door County Circuit Judge Jennifer Moeller signed an order Tuesday temporarily blocking additional tree-cutting inside Potawatomi State Park after announcing the injunction during a June 19 hearing.

The lawsuit was filed about a week after PATCH announced it was suing the DNR and DNR Secretary Karen Hyun over a road construction project that resulted in hundreds of trees being cut down to widen Shoreline Road and South Norway Road by up to 10 feet for new bike lanes.

Speaking shortly after the lawsuit was filed, PATCH Executive Director Dave Allen argued the project violates the park's 2018 master plan, which states that road projects should maintain the park's current level of development. He said the work completed this spring exceeded those guidelines and expressed hope the lawsuit would protect other parts of the park from similar projects.

Attorney Gabe Johnson-Karp told the court paving work could continue because the trees within the affected area had already been removed.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 14 at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, PATCH plans to hold a public meeting July 2 at 4 p.m. at the Door County Granary to present its case. The group's attorney, Brian Potts, is expected to attend.

Kewaunee County Sheriff's Deputy Brent Reimer continues to receive praise for his lifesaving actions last fall, this time from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. Rep. Tony Wied recognized Reimer during remarks he delivered in the U.S. Capitol earlier this month. The recognition comes after Reimer received the Wisconsin Professional Police Association's 2026 Certificate of Merit at its annual conference in April, as well as the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department's Life Saving Award and Sheriff's Commendation Award. He received the honors for using an airway suction device to save a person who was choking in November.

Wied noted it was Reimer who researched the lifesaving device that is now carried by patrol officers and used in schools and nursing homes.

A 2011 Kewaunee High School graduate, Reimer joined the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department in 2017. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 5,500 people die from choking each year, making it the fourth-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in the United States.

A pair of 20-year-old brothers from La Crosse were injured in a moped crash in the town of Liberty Grove.

The accident occurred Monday shortly after 2 p.m. on State Highway 42 near Europe Bay. One of the brothers lost his hat while riding behind the other and attempted to retrieve it from the roadway before crashing his moped. The lead brother also crashed his moped while looking back at his brother after he went down.

The brother who crashed first suffered injuries to his face and legs and was transported to Door County Medical Center for further treatment. According to the accident report, he was treated and later released from the hospital.

The other brother suffered minor abrasions in the crash but declined additional treatment from paramedics. He later traveled by ambulance to the hospital to support his brother.

Both men were cited for failing to register their mopeds and were warned for not having insurance.

The crash closed one lane of traffic for approximately 20 minutes while the mopeds were removed and the scene was cleared.

While most Americans will honor the United States' 250th birthday with fireworks, sparklers and festivals, others, like Sturgeon Bay's Meredith Renard, will use it as a time to remember.

Renard is among the more than 100 active members of the Jean Nicolet Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. It took Renard nearly 10 years to discover that two of her sixth-great-grandfathers were patriots during the American Revolution, helping pave the way for the country we know today.

She is now among nearly 190,000 active members spread across approximately 3,000 local chapters worldwide. Her own journey discovering her connection to the American Revolution inspired her to help others find their connection to the nation's founding.

Renard said people are drawn to their families' patriotic backgrounds and to learning how their ancestors came to Wisconsin to start new lives.

The chapter has adopted Bayside Cemetery in Sturgeon Bay, caring for gravesites that include those of four daughters of American Revolution patriots.

As the lineage research chair and volunteer genealogist chair for the Jean Nicolet Chapter, Renard said she loves helping others discover their stories so they can pass them down through generations.

The DAR is active in several initiatives throughout the area, but even more so this year as part of the America 250 celebration. Renard has toured the area giving presentations that tell the stories of patriots and inspire others to dig deeper into their own family lineage.

Another slow week in the fields did not hinder crop progress for Wisconsin farmers.

According to the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, Wisconsin had 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork last week, with rains in the northern part of the state limiting activity for several days.

The extra precipitation is not going to waste, with corn and soybeans still emerging in some parts of the state and the second crop of alfalfa continuing to develop.

Corn emergence reached 97%, and soybean emergence was at 95%, both two to three percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Crop conditions remained strong, with about 80% rated good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from the previous week.

Oats are 51% headed, and winter wheat is 92% headed, both a few percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

Many farmers are using the time to complete their second cutting of alfalfa, which is about 11% complete. The first cutting is about 93% complete.

There is still time to catch the summer reading bug in Door County.

The United Way of Door County and the Door County Bookmobile are doing their part to make that happen through their Love of Reading events across the peninsula. The organizations kicked off their efforts Tuesday with stops at the Door County Library branches in Forestville and Sturgeon Bay.

Not only could children from birth to age 5 receive a free book, they could also sign up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to receive books during the other 11 months of the year and learn more about the bookmobile.

Shaun Tauber and Jessie McCains shared stories of the program and the impact it can have on the youth in Door County.

If you missed Tuesday's stops, don't worry. The United Way and the Door County Bookmobile will visit the Door County Library branches in Sister Bay from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Baileys Harbor from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. and Egg Harbor from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Wednesday. They will also stop at the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay on Thursday during the summer lunch program from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Door County YMCA has thousands of members across the peninsula, and it needs your help to continue providing services to the community.

On this week's Y-Wednesday Podcast, Communications and Outreach Executive Amy Gamble highlighted several job opportunities available at the YMCA's branches in Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek. In addition to program instructors, summer camp counselors and lifeguards, the Door County YMCA is seeking an aquatics director and a gymnastics coordinator in Sturgeon Bay.

Gamble also highlighted volunteer opportunities available through next month's Door County Triathlon. Volunteers would help keep intersections along the course safe for the hundreds of participants who swim, bike and run throughout Door County, while also helping the Door County YMCA raise funds for its annual campaign.

You can step back in time while seeing something new at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse on Friday.

The Door County Historical Society has spent the past two years returning the Peninsula State Park attraction to its former glory. In addition to rehabilitation work inside the lighthouse, which dates to 1868, the reimagining of the site included restoring the oil house and privy and reconstructing the summer kitchen and barn.

Executive Director Amy Frank hopes that visitors for generations to come will experience what it was like to be Keeper William Duclon, who, along with his wife, Julia, and their seven sons, called the lighthouse home from 1883 to 1918.

The Door County Historical Society raised more than $3 million to bring Duclon's story back to life, and Frank says it took a lot of people to make it a reality.

You can see the new buildings and improvements for yourself when the Door County Historical Society hosts its grand reopening celebration Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to a formal presentation at 11 a.m., there will be historic food preservation and cooking demonstrations, as well as a petting zoo. Admission is free with a state park vehicle admission sticker, but RSVPs are encouraged.

Picture courtesy of Jonah Frank and the Door County Historical Society

A second Patriot Racing Team vessel is calling Sturgeon Bay home this summer.

The Door County Maritime Museum announced the arrival of the Stjarna on Monday, joining the Utopia for its summer residency. The vessel was donated to the Patriot Racing Project in 2023 and restored soon afterward after being sailed for decades by veterans following the Vietnam War.

It is the flagship of the Patriot Racing Project, a veteran peer-support charity that brings veterans together as a team through sailing and hands-on craftsmanship. The vessel returned to Door County during last year's Tall Ships Festival hosted by Destination Door County.

After the arrival of the Utopia earlier this month, Door County Maritime Museum President and CEO Kevin Osgood expressed his excitement about having the ships serve as a way to connect with local veterans.

While plans include deck tours, the Utopia and Stjarna will come and go as they fulfill the organization's mission, in addition to offering charter and sailaway opportunities to help raise funds for the program.

Picture from Door County Maritime Museum

After being closed for part of Monday evening's commute, the Bayview Bridge is safe to use, according to Door County Highway Commissioner Thad Ash.

Law enforcement blocked traffic on State Highway 42/57 at approximately 4 p.m. Monday after a sensor failed on the Bayview Bridge. Ash said the bridge uses a sensor when the two draw spans close that locks them in place and raises the gate to allow traffic to proceed.

When the sensor failed, the bridge gates would not move, bringing traffic to a halt and forcing motorists to use Sturgeon Bay's downtown bridges to cross the bay. Ash said the bridge tender confirmed the locks were engaged before overriding the system to ease the bottleneck created by the closure.

Most of the necessary repairs are expected to be completed by the end of Tuesday, but Ash said the bridge is safe for travel.

The Bayview Bridge received an aerial drone inspection April 27, along with concrete patching on the deck as part of its annual spring maintenance.

For the past 10 years, Open Door Pride has been more than a daylong event at Sturgeon Bay's Martin Park. It has become a larger movement promoting inclusivity throughout the community.

The annual Open Door Pride Festival returns to the east-side park Saturday, serving as a crescendo to Pride Month activities across the state, including Northern Door Pride in Sister Bay on June 16. Over the past decade, Open Door Pride has expanded beyond its annual festival, including a weekly presence at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market and the monthslong "What's My Pride?" art installation at a local gallery.

Founder Cathy Grier said the event does not try to be more than a local celebration, and she is proud of the impact its message of inclusivity has had on the community, the LGBTQ+ population and beyond.

Featuring live music, food vendors, community resources and more, Open Door Pride Fest will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Martin Park.

The Door County Economic Development Corp. is happy with the gains it has made over the past seven years, but Executive Director Michelle Lawrie wants to ensure the organization stays on track moving forward.

In its 2019 housing study, the DCEDC found that the county was hundreds, if not thousands, of housing units short of what was needed for the community, especially in terms of affordable and workforce housing. Due to the pandemic, Lawrie said the area saw a net gain in migration, and the study served as a catalyst for communities to find ways to bring more housing to the area.

With the 2026 edition of the housing study, Lawrie said she wants to talk with employers and community leaders to see how far they have come and what still needs to happen to meet their needs moving forward.

She added that people's desire to move to Door County has helped efforts to increase housing options in the area, but infrastructure needs such as sewer, water and broadband service continue to be hurdles in some communities.

The DCEDC hopes to begin preliminary work in the coming weeks on the approximately six-month study, with plans to release its findings early next year. The city of Sturgeon Bay recently became the latest community to support the endeavor. Lawrie added that she is working to get more municipalities and school districts on board to help fund the study.

You can enjoy theater in a garden setting this month as Peninsula Players Theatre welcomes audiences to its production of "Baggage."

Written by Sam Bobrick and starring Aja Alcazar, Sean Blake, Christopher Sheard and Bri Sudia, "Baggage" tells the story of two single people coming off disappointing relationships who are brought together after their luggage is mixed up at an airport.

It is a fitting start to Peninsula Players' 91st season, during which much of the cast and crew reside on the Fish Creek campus as one production follows another. While many of them, including Alcazar and Blake, are familiar with the Door County summer lifestyle, it is the first time in the area for Sheard and Sudia.

Peninsula Players Theatre Marketing Director Peter Kelly said all four are well-established actors, but there is something unique and special about performing in Door County and its atmosphere.

Directed by Linda Fortunato, "Baggage" runs through July 5 before Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" takes the Peninsula Players Theatre stage July 8.

While bad weather or a rogue seagull could spoil your family’s day at the beach, some potential dangers are harder to see.

The Door County Public Health Department works with UW-Oshkosh to test water at Door County’s public beaches. Testing takes place one to four days a week, depending on a beach’s popularity.

Beach closures and advisories are primarily issued because of elevated bacteria levels, including E. coli, harmful algal blooms and other water quality concerns. The testing regimen resulted in 80 beach advisories and more than 40 closures in 2025.

Helping communicate the possible dangers lurking in the water are digital signs at 10 Door County beaches. Door County Public Health Strategist Shauna Blackledge says the signs allow staff to update a beach’s status in real time rather than wait for test results and for someone to return to the beach to make the change.

If you are planning a trip to the beach, you also can log on to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website to check its current status. As of Wednesday, no beach advisories or closures had been issued for Door County.

A 64-year-old Hermitage, Tenn., man was taken to Door County Medical Center on Sunday morning, after he was struck while riding his motorcycle.

The crash occurred on State Highway 42/57 near County Road MM just before 8:30 a.m. The motorcyclist was traveling southbound when a 60-year-old Sturgeon Bay man pulled out in front of him. The motorcyclist was unable to stop in time and crashed into the side of the vehicle.

The motorcycle was towed due to disabling damage, and the Tennessee man was transported to the hospital for additional treatment.

No citations were issued as part of the incident.

El-Na Farms co-owner Barry Fenendael says attendees can thank his late mother, Nancy, for two years in a row of beautiful Father’s Day weather at the Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm on Sunday.

Thousands filed through the food lines before exploring the rest of the operation through farm tours, a petting zoo, children’s activities and drone demonstrations as part of the annual event. While the first scoops of eggs and ice cream were not served until 8 a.m., well over 100 people made their way to Sunday Mass, with St. Mary’s and Holy Trinity Catholic Church Pastor Daniel Schuster presiding and the Sugar Bush Boys serving as cantors.

Sunday was not just a celebration of dairy, but also of family. It was the second straight year the Fenendael family welcomed families from across the region to their farm to celebrate Father’s Day. It was something that brought a smile to Barry’s face as he walked the grounds.

The Kewaunee County Dairy Promotion Committee, which runs the event, announced Sunday that Deer Run Dairy in Kewaunee will be next year’s host farm when the Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm returns on Father’s Day 2027, June 20.

According to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, there are still 13 opportunities to celebrate the industry at events across the state, including the Sevastopol FFA Dairy Breakfast at Lazy J Dairy in Luxemburg on July 5.

Door County was well represented in last weekend’s Miss Wisconsin and Miss Wisconsin Teen competitions.

The excitement started Friday when Miss Cherryland Teen Elise Jackson was named first runner-up in the Miss Wisconsin Teen competition. In addition to the $1,000 scholarship she earned for her placement, Jackson won an additional $500 scholarship as the Patriotism Reigns Award winner. She celebrated her brother’s military enlistment as part of an essay competition.

On Saturday, three familiar names dotted the Miss Wisconsin competition, including two who finished in the Top 11. Miss Door County Kaylee Griep earned a $500 scholarship for placing in the Top 11 and an additional $1,000 scholarship for the Hometown Pride Award, recognizing the Door County pride she showcased in a two-minute video.

Two former titleholders also made their mark. Miss Door County 2024 and current Miss Northern Lights Kylee Duessler placed in the Top 11, while former Miss Cherryland 2025 and current Miss Titletown Hannah Mertens won the non-finalist interview award.

The Miss Door County Scholarship Organization was also represented by Miss Cherryland Paige Nikodem and Miss Door County Teen Mia Glocke at the Miss Wisconsin competition, which crowned Miss River City Jordenne Butler as Miss Wisconsin and Miss Madison Teen Meredith Rosemurgy as Miss Wisconsin Teen.

Those interested in following in the footsteps of Griep, Glocke, Nikodem and Jackson can apply for the Miss Door County, Miss Cherryland and Miss Door County’s Teen competitions. Applications are now open for the Feb. 6 event.

Lake trout and whitefish sometimes share the same waters, but there are few similarities between the species beyond that. The story of why will be explored during the Door County Environmental Council’s presentation Monday evening in Egg Harbor.

Thanks to invasive zebra mussels and other environmental changes, whitefish have shifted much of their habitat from Lake Michigan to Green Bay, where shallower, nutrient-rich waters provide better spawning grounds and feeding opportunities.

Lake trout, meanwhile, have thrived in Lake Michigan thanks to stocking efforts by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and management of invasive sea lampreys.

Few people know this better than Charlie Henriksen, who has fished the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan for more than 50 years. Much like a farmer watching over a field, Henriksen has taken the preservation of the Lake Michigan fishery to heart.

Henriksen is working with UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee on research involving aquatic dead zones and early-warning systems, particularly in Green Bay. The work complements his previous efforts with UW-Stevens Point, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin Sea Grant.

In a world where the only constant is change, Henriksen said adaptation and belief is essential.

The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Monday at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor. Those unable to attend in person can find a Zoom link for the presentation here.

Increased salaries and expanded health care benefits are part of a new contract agreed to by the City of Sturgeon Bay and Sturgeon Bay Firefighters Union Local 2682.

Under the agreement, firefighters will see union wages increase 6% this year, 4% in 2027 and 3% in 2028. The raises will bring firefighters’ hourly wages to between $23 and $30, depending on experience and rank.

The contract also provides firefighters with access to cancer screenings, a significant concern in the profession. According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters.

Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward said he is thankful the two sides were able to reach an agreement after entering mediation earlier this year.

In addition to approving the firefighter contract and the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box, the Sturgeon Bay Common Council approved several housing-related measures during its approximately two-hour meeting last Tuesday.

You do not have to go to Belgium — or even Namur — to learn Walloon phrases anymore.

The Belgian Heritage Center is using its newly redesigned website to help preserve the Walloon language for future generations. Walloon was primarily spoken in southern Belgium and parts of northern France. Many immigrants brought the language with them to northeast Wisconsin, but its use has steadily declined over the years.

Belgian Heritage Center President Joe Alexander said the website features not only common Walloon phrases but also recordings of local residents speaking the language. He hopes people take advantage of the resource, which was developed with assistance from universities in Belgium, to help keep the language alive.

If you learn some Walloon in the coming weeks, you will have opportunities to try it out. The Belgian Heritage Center is hosting its annual Belgian Waffle Breakfast on June 28 and conducting several historical activities as part of Belgian Days in July.

"Creek Creatures" is this week's Summer at Crossroads series. This time of year, the creatures of the creek, wetlands and ponds are active over, under and on the water's surface, making them among our most popular attractions.

Naturally, we love our birds and fish, but learners of all ages also are fascinated by macroinvertebrates — creatures without backbones that can be seen without magnification. They are fascinating, and they are important indicators of stream health.

The week starts with a tale. At 2 p.m. Monday, June 29, Door County Librarian Beth Lokken will read the storybook "Over and Under the Pond" by Kate Messner, with art by Christopher Silas Neal. For those who cannot make story time, the pages of this book will be posted on our Trail Tales storybook walk, which starts at our West Trailhead.

Journeys with Joan, our weekly family program, will explore Great Lakes fisheries at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, and hikers participating in Wandering Wednesday will surely observe creatures above, below and at the surface of Big Creek and our ponds.

For our 2 p.m. Thursday Talk, our presenter will be Gretchen Recupero Schmelzer, who is part of the DNR Water Action Volunteers program. She will explain how creek creatures are used as indicators to evaluate the health of a creek — perhaps even better indicators than occasional chemical tests.

Throughout the week, and for the rest of the summer, kids participating in Boys & Girls Club camps and Doorway to Learning will probably be knee-deep in the water, trying to capture — and release unharmed — creek creatures. All of them are unique and fascinating, though the "fan favorite creature" often is the amazing whirligig beetle, which kids discover is not easy to capture.

These incredibly fast macroinvertebrates live at the boundary above and below the water's surface. As their name suggests, whirligigs tend to gather in clusters and spin around in tight circles, very nearly — but never quite — colliding with each other.

These insects have divided eyes, enabling them to look over and under the water simultaneously. They also are hypersensitive to vibrations, so they never crash into each other. They are aware of struggling prey that drops into the water from above and insects or predators swimming below.

When they want to feed on dead creatures on the creek bottom, they trap a bubble under their wings, enabling them to stay underwater for a considerable time.

For protection, they give off a defensive scent to deter predators, though a few local species smell like green apples.

Perhaps their best protection is that even the slightest vibration alerts them to danger from above.

Researchers suspect they can detect wing vibrations and evade flying bats. Participants in our July 2 Nighttime Bat Hike at the Ida Bay Preserve will not be able to sense flapping wings, but hike leaders will have special equipment to detect the calls of these beneficial mammals. Reservations are required for this free event. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org to sign up.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Crossroads trails are open all day, every day, free of charge.

Monday, June 29

2 p.m. Tale: "Over and Under the Pond"

Join Door County Librarian Beth Lokken as she reads the weekly tale, "Over and Under the Pond," written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. It describes a secret underwater world brought to life.

These secrets, and many others, are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this charming children's book, which offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems. Free and open to the public. Meet in front of the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, June 30

1 p.m. Journeys with Joan: Great Lakes Fisheries

Join naturalist Joan Wilkie for free, family-oriented activities exploring nature. Discover the wonders of our amazing Great Lakes fisheries. Suitable for all ages. Registration is not required. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, July 1

1:30 p.m. Wandering Wednesday

Join a naturalist-led hike. Easy walking. About an hour. Well-behaved dogs are allowed on leash. Registration is not required. Open to the public and free. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Thursday, July 2

2 p.m. Talk: Creek Creatures

Take a closer look at the tiny creatures that tell big stories about water quality. Join Gretchen Recupero Schmelzer, a dedicated Water Action Volunteer, for an eye-opening exploration of stream macroinvertebrates — the insects, crustaceans and other small aquatic organisms that live in our creeks.

These "creek macros" are powerful indicators of stream health. Gretchen will introduce participants to the amazing diversity of macroinvertebrates found in Door County waterways, explain how scientists use them to assess water quality, and share what their presence, or absence, can reveal about pollution, habitat conditions and the overall well-being of our freshwater ecosystems.

Expect a fun mix of hands-on discovery and engaging science. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

8:30 p.m. Nighttime Bat Hike

Using special sound recording equipment, hikers will be able to locate bats, and hike leaders will identify the species of bats at the Ida Bay Preserve this summer. Dress for the weather and bring bug spray. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org to reserve a spot. Meet at the parking lot of the Ida Bay Preserve, 1195 Canal Road, Sturgeon Bay.

One thing I’ve noticed is that most kayakers spend more time picking their kayak than picking their paddle. And the wrong paddle can impact your kayak adventure in Door County more than you might think.

For years, in my kayak talks and articles, I have suggested that people buy the lightest, most expensive paddle they can afford. Lighter paddles are less fatiguing, meaning you can enjoy your time on the water longer and feel less tired at the end of the day. More expensive paddles use better materials and will often last longer. I would suggest finding a paddle that weighs no more than 31 or 32 ounces. Personally, I prefer a paddle that weighs less than 30 ounces. Ideally, when you are kayaking, you should be enjoying all the beauty Door County has to offer, not thinking about your tired shoulders and arms from a heavy paddle.

For lighter recreational and touring sit-in kayaks, a standard-sized blade is what you will be looking for. For heavier sit-on-top (SOT) kayaks, most paddlers choose a paddle with oversized blades. These have a bigger bite to help propel the heavier SOT kayaks.

For my heavier fishing kayaks, I use the Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon and Angler Pro with the Versa-Lok feature, which gives you a 15-centimeter range to adjust the length for varying conditions. At a lower price point, but still high quality and lightweight, take a look at the Aqua-Bound Manta Ray and Manta Ray Hybrid.

Picking the proper paddle length is also very important, and there are online charts that can help. The correct paddle length is determined by a combination of your height and the width of your kayak. Most recreational and touring kayaks are narrower and require a shorter paddle. Most SOT kayaks, in addition to being heavier, are also wider and usually require a longer paddle.

Times are challenging, and for many people, the price of products is a major consideration. Your kayak and paddle are likely to last for many years, so any investment you make can be a worthwhile one.

If you have any questions related to kayaking, I’d be happy to answer them. Just email me at kayakfishingwisconsin@gmail.com.

As noted in past articles, if you would like a PDF of my Kayaking & Kayak Fishing Door County presentation, I’d be happy to email it to you. Along with other useful information, it highlights many of the best places to launch your kayak.