Daily caregiving for a loved one can feel isolating, but help is available. The ADRC of Door County is offering a self-care and information day for caregivers on Thursday, November 12, 8am-2pm, at the Community Center at 914 N. 14th Ave., Sturgeon Bay.

The day will include breakfast and lunch, which means pre-registration is required, and is limited to 130 people. 

ADRC Assistant Director Nicole Scharrig talked about what the day will include. She emphasized that this day is intended as “Self care for the caregiver, and is meant for caregivers only.”

To register, either stop by the ADRC at 914 N. 14th St., Sturgeon Bay, call: 920-746-7153, or email Nicole Scharrig: nscharrig@co.door.wi.gov

You have the opportunity to nominate the important educators in your life through a new awards program in Kewaunee County. The Luxemburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Kewaunee Chamber of Commerce, and Algoma Chamber of Commerce recently announced their Kewaunee County Excellence in Education Awards to honor contributors to education across the area’s public and private schools.

Eight awards will be handed out annually, with four going to professional educators and four going to support staff members. One professional educator and one support staff member will be honored from each of the Algoma, Kewaunee, and Luxemburg-Casco public school districts, along with one professional educator and one support staff member representing the county’s parochial schools.

Nominations can be made here by students, parents, school staff, and community members through Oct. 23.

With the creation of the Kewaunee County Excellence in Education Awards, the Luxemburg Area Chamber of Commerce will present its ninth and final Spartan Spirit Award at this year’s Christmas Party Award Banquet.

A milestone in landmark protection for shipwrecks belongs to Door County. The Wisconsin Historical Society announced this week that the Frank D. Barker is the 100th shipwreck designated on the State Register of Historic Places.

The designation comes more than a year after business owner Matt Olson discovered the nearly 160-year-old vessel while scouting locations in Rowleys Bay for his customers. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the New York-built Frank D. Barker was launched in 1867 and sank 20 years later after running aground on a foggy night while on its way to Escanaba, Michigan, to collect a load of iron ore. Crews returned to try to salvage the vessel in 1887 and 1888, but those efforts came up empty.

The Frank D. Barker is the second shipwreck Olson has helped discover. He also helped find the scow schooner Sunshine, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.

“It’s an incredible feeling to come across a shipwreck of this size and in such great condition, especially knowing how long it went undetected,” Olson said in 2025. “I am honored to play a role in bringing this history to light so folks can better understand Wisconsin’s maritime history.”

Ruth and Hartley Barker Director and Wisconsin Historical Society CEO Christian Overland called the milestone a great example of the organization’s commitment to sharing and preserving Great Lakes history.

“Today is an exciting day for the diligent and hardworking maritime archaeologists and many other staff members whose efforts made the 100th shipwreck listing on the State Register of Historic Places possible.”

With its placement on the State Register of Historic Places, the Frank D. Barker is now eligible for consideration for the National Register of Historic Places.

If you have missed the sounds of chamber music since Midsummer’s Music concluded its summer season earlier this month, you are in luck. Midsummer’s Autumn Music Fest kicks off Oct. 10 at MUSE in Sturgeon Bay, and Oct. 11 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County in Ephraim, with concerts featuring the Pro Arte Quartet.

The Griffon String Quartet and David Perry and Friends will also perform during the series, which wraps up at the end of October. Executive Director Allyson Fleck says the Autumn Music Fest has proved to be a great way to keep the music going deeper into the year for area chamber music fans.

The Griffon String Quartet is also keeping busy outside of the Autumn Music Fest. The quartet will perform its second 'Gather with the Griffon' concert Oct. 8 at Stella Maris Catholic Church in Fish Creek, after performing at the Northeast Wisconsin Piano Teachers Forum meeting in Green Bay on Friday, and at a private event for the Green Bay Chamber Music Society on Saturday.

For more information about the upcoming performances, visit their website.

Picture courtesy of Midsummer's Music

A 2-year-old Casco child is in stable condition at a Green Bay hospital after being rescued Monday afternoon.

The Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence in the Town of Casco at approximately 3:50 p.m. after receiving a call about the child falling into a nearby pond.

The caller told the dispatcher the child had been pulled from the water and that CPR was being administered. The caller did not know how long the child had been in the water, but the child began breathing again while the caller was on the phone with the dispatcher.

The Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Luxemburg Rescue and Casco/Lincoln EMRs responded to the scene.

The incident remains under investigation.

Finding a time in the busy Door County season to add another event is a challenge. Which is why the Town of Sevastopol chose to wait, and use its resources to host a ‘America’s 250th Celebration’ this Saturday, October 3.

Town Supervisor, and one of the organizers of the event, Linda Wait, explained how this event came about.

The festivities will take place at the Sevastopol Town Park, 4830 Hwy 57 next to Sevastopol School, and will begin at 3pm. Revelers will receive food and drink ‘tickets’ upon entry for their free concessions, which will include hot dogs, popcorn, soft serve ice cream and soda. Volunteers are asking you to refrain from bringing outside drinks.

Entertainment for the afternoon includes two bounce houses for children to play. Sevastopol School’s Band Director, Tanya Hasenjaeger will play patriotic music beginning at 3:30pm, then the VFW Post 51 members will perform a special flag presentation at 4pm.

Stick around for a family-friendly movie in the park (inside the tent), beginning at 4:30pm, ‘The Sheep Detective’, starring Hugh Jackman.

Be sure to wear your festive clothes and accessories, participants may be noted with something special, Wait said.

The 2026-27 deer hunting season moves into its next phase this weekend when the gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities begins Saturday.

Qualified hunters had to sign up by Sept. 15 to participate in the hunt. Eligible hunters include those with permits that allow them to hunt from a stationary vehicle (Class A or Class B), use a laser sight (Class C), or use an adaptive device to facilitate the use of a firearm (Class D).

From Oct. 3-9, participating hunters must hunt on property sponsored and enrolled in the program. The Muskrat City Sportsman’s Club and Luxemburg Sportsman’s Club are among dozens of sponsors across the state that work with registered hunters with disabilities to help them harvest a buck or doe.

The season continues through Oct. 11, coinciding with the youth deer hunt.

According to the most recent data released by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 61 deer, including 27 antlered deer, have been harvested in Door County since the hunting season began Sept. 12. In Kewaunee County, hunters have harvested 33 deer, including 22 antlered deer.

Children will soon have a new playground at Sawyer Elementary School in Sturgeon Bay, but Principal Katie DeVillers says there is still plenty of work to do before then.

Sawyer Elementary is raising more than $540,000 to replace its playground, which dates back more than 20 years. Sunrise Elementary School replaced its playground through a similar fundraising effort, hosting a grand opening for the space last October.

Much like Sunrise Elementary’s new playground, Sawyer’s will feature new equipment and a turf surface to allow children of all abilities to play together. Thanks to the generosity of the community and the hard work of students and their families, approximately $417,000 has been raised.

DeVillers is excited about the progress that has been made as families begin several fundraisers to help close the gap even further.

If you cannot track down a Sawyer Elementary student to support through one of the fundraisers, DeVillers says you can click this link to donate directly. With assistance from the city, she hopes the school will be able to break ground on the new playground sometime early next year.

A fall décor staple is ready to take up residence on your porch as pumpkin patches open for picking.

According to the USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture, there are more than 960 farms growing pumpkins for the fresh ornamental market in Wisconsin. That trails only New York (1,144), Pennsylvania (1,102), Michigan (1,029) and Ohio (970) for the most in the country.

Approximately 85% of those fields produce pumpkins for the fresh market, like those found at Hillside Apples in Casco, while the other 15% are used for processing into products such as pie fillings and soups.

Much like its apple trees, Hillside Apples’ Bill Roethle says the pumpkin crop is in good shape considering the weather it endured on its journey from the field to your porch.

To make your pumpkin last longer, Kansas State University Extension recommends keeping it in cool conditions and wiping it down with a bleach-water or vinegar-water solution to reduce rot and decay. You are also encouraged to carry your pumpkin out of the field in your arms rather than by the stem to prevent damage that could cause it to decay more quickly.

Sturgeon Bay School District residents will have an upcoming opportunity to hear more about the operational referendum that will be on the ballot this fall.

At 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 in the Sturgeon Bay High School library, district officials will host a community session focused on the operational referendum, which would allow the district to exceed its revenue limit by $3.75 million in each of the next five years.

The goal of the referendum is to address higher costs for transportation, utilities, insurance, and special education services; declining federal funding and state general school aid; and the need to pay teachers more competitively. In August, Superintendent Dan Tjernagel said that the referendum, paired with ongoing cuts, will put the district in a better place financially.

Sturgeon Bay is not the only local school district placing an operational referendum on the ballot this November. Southern Door School District also announced in August that it plans to ask voters to exceed the revenue limit by $2.055 million per year for three years after a referendum fell short in April. The district has scheduled informational sessions for Oct. 6 and Oct. 28.

Luxemburg-Casco School District announced earlier this month that it will ask voters for $1.8 million per year for three years to replace its current three-year referendum. Questions about that referendum can be directed to Superintendent Jo-Ellen Fairbanks and Business Manager Rebecca Dobbe.

For aspiring writers on the peninsula, Write On, Door County is offering a variety of classes, workshops and events throughout October, including programs for adults, families and younger writers.

The organization’s October events include opportunities to explore fiction, memoir, poetry, storytelling and the role of community in writing.

October events begin Oct. 3 with “Writing from Biography: Approaches to Using Personal Experience in Fiction.” The workshop runs from 1 to 3 p.m. “Creating and Sustaining a Joyful Literary Community” is scheduled for Oct. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Jen Rubin will lead a storytelling workshop Oct. 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Young writers ages 9 to 12 can participate in “Jump into Poetry” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27.

Write On is also working with the Friends of Door County Libraries on Winnie-Pooh-Looza, celebrating the 100th anniversary of A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh. Programs include “Letters to Pooh” on Oct. 3 and Oct. 11, giving you an opportunity to write letters that will be sent to the official Pooh letter collection box in Hartfield, England.

Other Winnie-Pooh-Looza events include a character-writing workshop for teens and adults Oct. 10, a special “Memoir Mondays” program Oct. 12 focused on memories of Winnie-the-Pooh, and “Music of the Hundred Acre Woods” with the Griffon String Quartet on Oct. 23.

The full October schedule is available through Write On, Door County’s website.

If you live, work or play in Luxemburg, there is a good chance you know someone who makes it a special place to be. The Luxemburg Area Chamber of Commerce wants to honor those individuals at its annual Christmas Party Award Banquet.

Since 1963, the chamber has honored businesspeople through its Person of the Year award and selfless individuals through its Community Service Award. The event has also highlighted people who have made a difference in the Luxemburg-Casco School District through its Spartan Spirit Award.

Chamber Secretary Alex Stodola believes it is an important tradition to uphold and a way to recognize those who make an impact in the community.

While the Spartan Spirit Award is handled by the Luxemburg-Casco School District, you can nominate honorees for the Person of the Year and Community Service awards by clicking on this link.

Saving a downtown landmark in Fish Creek is close to reality, $50,000 close, and its preservation would create a cultural center and meeting space in the community. 

The ‘Foursquare’ house at 4148 Main Street is currently owned by the town of Gibraltar. The house was built in 1914 by her aunt.

The idea to preserve the home stemmed from a need for a new home for the Gibraltar Historical Association, its archives, exhibits, office, and need for meeting space.

The ‘Heritage Harbor Cultural Center’ would need a bit of work before opening to the public, or even relocation of archives. The two-story house has a square floor plan that includes four rooms on the ground level and four rooms on the second story. Foursquares ranged from modest cottages to spacious mansions, and were often sold as kits by businesses such as Sears & Roebuck. 

This will be the second historic home in downtown Fish Creek renovated, and actively used for education and cultural enhancement; the Alexander Noble House, 4167 Main Street (corner of Hwy 42) being the first.

The Friends of Heritage Harbor Cultural center are working to create a center where community members and visitors can explore Gibraltar’s history in their library, conduct family research, and engage with local culture. 

As of September 25, the Friends group had secured donations, gifts, and grants covering 92% of the $675,000 goal to restore, maintain, and furnish the building as a cultural center. A portion of those funds will establish an endowment for ongoing maintenance. According to their agreement with the Town of Gibraltar, the Friends group has until November to reach the fundraising goal.

For more information about the proposed Heritage Harbor Cultural Center, visit the GHA website.

The Algoma Public Library is introducing an updated InfoSoup catalog and a new mobile app designed to make it easier for you to find and manage library materials.

The new InfoSoup catalog is now live and provides a new way to search for books and other library materials, discover digital content and manage library accounts. InfoSoup is part of a shared library network serving public libraries throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

The system is used by the Algoma Public Library and Kewaunee Public Library in Kewaunee County, as well as all eight Door County Library locations — Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Fish Creek, Forestville, Sister Bay/Liberty Grove, Sturgeon Bay and Washington Island. The Nicolet Library System lists both Algoma and Kewaunee Public Library among its member libraries, while Door County Library participates in the shared InfoSoup catalog.

The shared system allows you to search library collections, place holds and manage your accounts. Door County Library says its InfoSoup cards can be used at Door County libraries and most libraries within the Nicolet and Outagamie Waupaca library systems.

You can continue using your existing library card number and PIN with the updated catalog, although new users of the updated catalog will need to register a username.

The Algoma Public Library also is encouraging you to download the new InfoSoup app. The app is available for Apple and Android devices and allows you to access a digital library card, search the catalog, renew materials, place holds and manage your accounts from a smartphone or tablet.

Download instructions and links for “InfoSoup Libraries” are available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. After downloading the app, you can select Algoma Public Library and connect your account using your library card number and password.

Kewaunee Public Library also directs patrons to the InfoSoup catalog and app through its website.

The library has also provided a video demonstrating the new InfoSoup catalog.

InfoSoup provides access to digital resources, including e-books and audiobooks through Wisconsin’s Digital Library, as well as research and local-history resources.

More information about the Algoma Public Library and its services is available through the library’s website.

The search is over for the County of Door when it comes to filling tenant space at the former Younkers building. The Door County Economic Development Corporation announced Thursday that it will move its offices to the site, which will also be home to the county’s museum archives.

Joining DCEDC in the space is the Door County Tourism Zone, which administers short-term rental permitting and room tax collection for the county’s municipalities.

“This is more than finding a tenant for an empty building,” said David Englebert, county board supervisor and chair. “DCEDC provides a strong, long-term presence downtown while creating a location that serves businesses and communities throughout Door County.”

DCEDC Executive Director Michelle Lawrie says relocating DCEDC to the heart of downtown Sturgeon Bay is an exciting move and one that makes sense given its role as an organization dedicated to business growth in the county.

The county, DCEDC, and Door County Tourism Zone are discussing an occupancy timeline for moving into the building after contracts for its renovation were recently approved by the county board. Lawrie says the goal is to move into their new space next summer.

As I have done in the past, I would like to spend some time bringing attention to safety during our homecoming festivities. This time of year brings with it not only the games and other school activities that our kids are involved in, but also the social activities that are such an important part of their lives.

As we approach the season of homecoming games and dances, we should encourage our kids to make good decisions and, more importantly, be an example of good decision-making.

To the kids, let your parents know where you are going to be and with whom. For those areas where “decorating” is allowed, please be respectful of those who do not wish to be part of this tradition. When traveling from one place to another, please use caution and adhere to the rules of the road.

Be aware of the consequences of drinking, and remove yourself from situations in which you don’t feel comfortable.

To the parents, provide a safe environment for your kids in the form of gathering places in your homes, and always reassure them that you will be there if they find themselves in a place they no longer wish to be.

It goes without saying that those under 21 should not be drinking, and the consequences, both legally and academically, are not worth it. It is also illegal for those over 21 to provide alcohol to minors.

This may seem like common sense, but there are adults who rationalize providing alcohol to minors by having parties at their homes or by taking keys. Regardless of how you justify it, it is still illegal, and the consequences can be far-reaching.

I hope everyone has a safe homecoming season, both on and off the field.

This weekend’s full moon will make for a spooky vibe to see the “Turn back the veil” exhibit at the historic Noble House in downtown Fish Creek. 

Until October 17, visitors can see Victorian-era death-related artifacts and momentos at the house on the corner of Hwy 42. The exhibit includes mourning gowns and accessories from the late 1800s, hair art, artifacts related to Abraham Lincoln, a death mask, and more. 

Sharing these traditions and stories shows that people in the past regarded death as a normal part of life. Families often faced the uncertainties of disease and illness. Presenting these rituals aims to enhance understanding of customs that persist today.

Gibraltar Historical Association Executive Director (and exhibit curator), Laurie Buske, talked about what visitors to the Noble House will see, and why the exhibit is important.

For tour times and hours of operation, please visit HistoricNoble.com 

Winners of the Miller Art Museum’s 51st Juried Annual have been announced, and their work is on display in downtown Sturgeon Bay through November 7.

Established in 1975, the Miller Art Museum’s Juried Annual grew from a local exhibition of Northeast Wisconsin artists into a statewide platform celebrating visual arts excellence. This year, the museum received 317 submissions from 177 artists across the state. From that field, 64 works by 61 artists were selected, creating a vibrant conversation across media, approaches, and points of view.

MAM’s Exhibitions and Collections Curator Suzanne Rose said working on the show was a privilege, and that the works celebrates the extraordinary breadth of vision, practice, and creative life found throughout Wisconsin.

"The exhibition speaks so strongly to the range and vitality of Wisconsin artists,” Rose said, “and it's an honor to share it with our community and the many visitors who come to Door County."

Eight artists were recognized with a total of $1,950 in cash awards:

Gerhard Miller Award of Excellence ($500)
Rebecca Jabs (Manitiwoc), Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Special Merit Awards ($250 each)
Doug Fath (Madison), The Wounded Will Illuminate the Way
Karla Lauden (Sheboygan), Grave Digger
Abby Thiede (Sturgeon Bay), Aftercare

Juror's Choice Awards ($200 each)
Selected by Cristian Anderson: Bonnie Connolly (Sturgeon Bay), Milkweed
Selected by Debra Brehmer: Tania Nelson (Green Bay), Newport Village
Selected by Kimberly Burnett: Daniel Fleming (Milwaukee), Demons II (Prophet)

Bonnie Hartmann Award for Outstanding Creativity ($100)
Nova Czarnecki (Milwaukee), Born with Teeth

 The Miller Art Museum is located within the Door County Library at 107 S. 4th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. Museum hours are Monday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is free, and an elevator provides access to all gallery levels

For the all the details about the 51st Juiried Annual, and other happenings at the Miller Art Museum, visit their website, MillerArtMuseum.org.

A two-vehicle crash in the Town of Sturgeon Bay on Tuesday shut down County Highway S for nearly an hour and sent two people to the hospital.

The crash occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. at the intersection of County Highway S and Wilson Road. According to the accident report, a 77-year-old Sturgeon Bay man was traveling south on the highway when he attempted to turn onto Wilson Road. A 20-year-old Algoma woman was traveling north at the time and did not believe the man would turn because she had the right of way.

When the man did turn, he struck the front end of the woman’s vehicle. Her vehicle ended up in a field next to the roadway, something she believed happened as she tried to avoid the crash.

Multiple witnesses told the deputy they saw the man turn in front of the woman without yielding first, with one adding that she did not see him use a turn signal.

Both drivers were taken to area hospitals to be treated for minor injuries, while their vehicles were towed. The man received a citation for failing to yield the right of way.

The scene was cleared by 11:40 a.m.

You have another opportunity this weekend to see how farming in northeast Wisconsin used to be done. Agricultural Heritage and Resources is hosting its annual Ag Heritage Days at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Like thresherees hosted in the area, Ag Heritage Days features a Saturday tractor pull, antique tractors, historic implement demonstrations, and other activities throughout the grounds. Julie Siegmund of Agricultural Heritage and Resources says there are plenty of other things to do and eat during the event that make it a fun day for families.

Ag Heritage Days runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Farmers who were looking for rain certainly got it over the past week as harvest progress was forced to slow down. According to the most recent USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, farmers had an average of 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week after soaking rains left standing water in some fields.

Despite less-than-favorable weather, the corn silage harvest remains well ahead of the five-year average at 54% complete. Corn in the dent stage is about on par with the five-year average as farmers prepare for the corn grain harvest.

Soybeans are progressing as well, with 49% dropping leaves compared with the five-year average of 45%. Winter wheat planting is slightly behind the average at 27% complete.

The search is over for the County of Door when it comes to filling tenant space at the former Younkers building. The Door County Economic Development Corporation announced Thursday that it will move its offices to the site, which will also be home to the county’s museum archives.

Joining DCEDC in the space is the Door County Tourism Zone, which administers short-term rental permitting and room tax collection for the county’s municipalities.

“This is more than finding a tenant for an empty building,” said David Englebert, county board supervisor and chair. “DCEDC provides a strong, long-term presence downtown while creating a location that serves businesses and communities throughout Door County.”

DCEDC Executive Director Michelle Lawrie says relocating DCEDC to the heart of downtown Sturgeon Bay is an exciting move and one that makes sense given its role as an organization dedicated to business growth in the county.

LAWRIE1

The county, DCEDC, and Door County Tourism Zone are discussing an occupancy timeline for moving into the building after contracts for its renovation were recently approved by the county board. During that time, Lawrie says they will also discuss what will become of DCEDC’s current headquarters in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park.

The Interfaith Coalition for Housing - Sturgeon Bay is preparing to open its first transitional home. This is a momentous milestone for six Door County churches that decided to join forces to address housing insecurity and homelessness in the City.

This first project of ICH-SB is to convert a former medical clinic on 16th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay into a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home for a family experiencing housing insecurity because of a crisis or life-changing circumstance. Door County Medical Center owns the building and has made it available to the coalition, while Door County Habitat for Humanity has provided renovation assistance. 

Ann Quale, a board member at Hope United Church of Christ, said the coalition grew out of conversations among local churches about the need for additional housing resources.

“Six churches got together and decided to get serious about the homeless population in Door County,” Quale said.

The Interfaith Coalition for Housing-Sturgeon Bay includes Hope Church, Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church, Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church, Bay View Lutheran Church, Christ the King Holy Nativity and Hainesville Lutheran Church. The coalition has partnered with Door County Medical Center and Door County Habitat for Humanity on its transitional housing project.

Quale said a community presentation scheduled for October 4 will provide residents an opportunity to learn more about the coalition's work and plans.

“We'll present information and data about homeless issues in Door County, talk about the transitional house and all of our future plans,” Quale said.

The transitional housing model is designed to provide more than a place to stay. Coalition plans include connecting families with services such as case management, financial counseling and other resources aimed at helping move toward long-term housing stability.

“We'll have a slide program and plenty of time for questions as well,” Quale said.

The community is invited to learn more about the effort during a presentation scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Hope United Church of Christ, Sturgeon Bay. Coffee and light refreshments will be available.The event is free and open to the public.

You can enjoy a fun day with the family while supporting improvements at Bruemmer Park Zoo during the 15th annual Zoobilee Saturday, Sept. 26, in Kewaunee.

Proceeds from the annual event will support the construction of a new Environmental Education Center at the zoo, which is expected to provide additional facilities and educational opportunities for visitors to the park. “This year's donations will help build a new environmental education center including a new bathroom facility, a classroom and other amenities for people to use, it'll be a great addition to the park,”  Kewaunee County Promotions and Recreation Director Dave Myers said.

Organized by the  the Zoological Society of Kewaunee County, Zoobilee runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bruemmer Park Zoo in Kewaunee. The car show begins at 8 a.m. and runs through 2 p.m. You can also peruse an art and craft fair, check out the car show, participate in basket raffles and a silent auction, and enjoy live music.

More information is available through Bruemmer Park Zoo website and the Zoobilee Facebook event page.

Misplaced owners’ manuals for a new water heater are to blame for a small fire that caused guests to be evacuated from Ephraim Shores Resort on Thursday.

Ephraim Fire Chief Justin MacDonald responded to the fire just before 8:30 a.m. after receiving a call about smoke in the building. He discovered smoke in the pool area and mechanical rooms before finding the owners’ manuals near the recently installed water heater. They were close to the heat source and in an area that was difficult to locate.

Thanks to a nearby garden hose, the fire was extinguished with approximately 2 gallons of water. The scene was cleared by 9:45 a.m., and there were no injuries or damage.

The Door County Sheriff’s Office, Door County EMS and fire departments from Sister Bay/Liberty Grove, Baileys Harbor, Jacksonport and Gibraltar also responded.

MacDonald thanked the staff at Ephraim Shores Resort for assisting guests during the incident. He also used the incident as a reminder to use the closest exit during an emergency and remain outside until hotel staff or firefighters say it is safe to re-enter the building.