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Door County-WI

was named one of the top ten travel destinations in North America by Money Magazine. Midwest Living magazine cited Door County as a premier Midwest vacation destination. Throughout a dozen quaint harbor side towns and the pastoral interior of the county, Door County's deserved reputation for culture and charm is a treasure to the tourist. A Door County excursion is a delight at each turn you take. Take your pick for a wide diversity of quality art galleries and studios, cooking schools, golfing, kayaking, sailing, historic lighthouses, theater options, and be ready to explore endlessly. This long-time favored summer vacation haven collects visitors world-wide for it’s home town flavor in the small communities that make up this 75-mile long Peninsula. Three hundred miles of shoreline include the shores of Lake Michigan and the bay of Green Bay. Cherry tree orchards can be seen along many of Door County's country roads in season. The communities are steeped in history of years gone by: original store front buildings, fishing ports, and lighthouses from the 18^th century, all reveal tantalizing stories of the past.

The Arts of Door County

Founded in 1965 and located in the heart of Door County, Wisconsin - Fish Creek - Peninsula School of Art is a center for education and exploration in the visual arts. They offer year-round programming, including one to five day workshops in ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and metal arts, watercolor, painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, mixed media and youth arts; lectures and symposium on art appreciation, history and career skills for artists; special events and family-friendly programs for students of all ages and abilities.

Special events are hosted throughout the year, as well as open Studio time for artists.

http://www.peninsulaartschool.com/Home_Page.html

Hands On Art Studio

                                   photo by Lori Boardman

This very creative Studio began as a small area in a small building 12 years ago. Today, over 6000 square feet of specialized studio space invite a most unique walk-in art experience. Hands On Art Studio is a “do-it-yourself” Door County favorite, offering an accommodating walk-in art experience. Creativity and entertainment rule here; this down on the farm studio is fun in every sense. You’ll be greeted by farm animals, barns that have creative rooms in each, and owner, Cy Turnbladh. Cy determinedly believes that art is for entertainment and learning of your creative skills - ones you may not know you had, until you get in the studios where creativity blossoms.

For a low hourly studio fee, guests can choose from a huge variety of art projects including fused glass, metal sculpture, mosaics, and a wide selection of wood, metal and ceramic pieces to paint. Firing, grouting or finished works are all available for pick-up the following day. In addition, Hands On offers weekly Adult Nights, summer season Rock & Roll Art Nights and Art Camp sessions for kids in the casual, inspiring setting of the “Art Farm,”

Creativety begins at Hand on Art Studio where one can explore endlessly.  info@handsonartstudio.com

The Linden Gallery: Travel to China

After ten years in Asia, Brian and Jeanee Linden opened Linden's of Ellison Bay in 1966, a 6,000 foot gallery, in a Prairie-style Luthern Church which has been a landmark since 1955. The Gallery exhibits rotating art exhibits and an excellent selection of Asian art objects. The Gallery has been referred to as a top Midwest destination for Asian art. 

Building upon their life experiences and background, the Linden's are involved in a journey to China. Noting that traveler's like to experience unique sights, cultures, tradition, foods and family life, the experience offers broad views of culture and observations.

http://www.lindensgallery.com/code/about.shtml 

Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek

Edgewood Orchard Galleries is one of the Midwest's most desired art galleries, and it is recognized for its exhibitions that reveal ideas in a wide range of media. The variety includes: paintings, sculpture, glass, clay, wood and jewelry.

The inviting environment at the Edgewood Gallery is a  welcoming and creative place. Housed in a stone fruit barn built in 1918, and located on an 80 acre orchard, the gallery has been restored and enhanced by owner-architect Minnow Emerson. It includes a bricked courtyard with bistro tables and chairs, a glassed portico, fine leaded-glass windows and the beauty of nature outside every window.Their newest addition is a unique outdoor walking sculpture garden that bids one to become immersed in the wooded path, and review the wonderful creative pieces throughout the walkway.

The gallery has feature shows monthly and hosts opening receptions to meet the over 100 artists that exhibit there. They are open daily from May through November.
http://www.edgewoodorchard.com/content/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&filename=upcoming.htm

Sports and Golf

According to Jon Jarosh, Marketing Director, Door County Visitors Bureau, the 11 golf courses provide diversity and terrain that inspire the avid golfer. For example, the Egg Harbor golf course has wide vistas and at times challenging holes. The Door County golf courses have from 9 to 36 holes each, and are located from south of Sturgeon Bay to Washington Island, and most places in between.

The scenic 18 holes at the Peninsula Golf Course captivates picturesque vistas of water, small islands in the distance, and the quaint township of Ephraim. Since 1921, golfers have been enjoying this spectacular rolling woodlands course lined with majestic oak, maple and birch. With its panoramic views of the waters of Green Bay, the shoreline and villages of the Peninsula, cameras are a necessity along with clubs.

http://www.doorcountygolf.com/GolfCourses.HTM

Nautical History/Lighthouses

Sailors of the 19th and early 20th centuries could safely navigate the lake and bay waters around the Door Peninsula and surrounding islands with the assistance of strategically placed lighthouses. One of  Door County's most photographed and videotaped, the Cana Island Lighthouse, holds special interest with its low dwelling and tall white tower surmounted by two story black lanterns.  Walking across the rock causeway, from the Door County mainland to the island, one can step inside the keeper's house. Beginning in 1869, the first of a number of lighthouse keepers tended to the light, guiding sailors and protecting them from the dangerous shoals that extend out from the island into Lake Michigan. When World War II broke out, the Coast Guard took over Cana Island Station and has maintained the light ever since.

The lighthouse is open for personal tours. To be viewed is the oil house as well, where fuel for the light was stored prior to days when electricity came to the island.

 http://www.doorcounty.com/outdoor/lighthouses.aspx

Peninsula State Park

Peninsula State Park, established in 1909, is a 3,776-acre state treasure on Wisconsin's Door County peninsula. The inviting forestry and waters of the Peninsula offer miles and miles of hiking, biking, camping and spectacular views at every path. The rocky bluffs ascend over 150 feet while varied wild life and deer graze contentedly. Considered Wisconsin's most complete park, Peninsula Park is also its most popular camping destination, with 468 campsites.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/peninsula/

American Folklore Theatre

Many have referred to the American Folklore as a professional musical theatre company. The shows are built on the rock of American folk culture: great tales, aching melodies, and the American phrases that have survived from generation to generation.

In their little corner of the woods, the American Musical Theatre is played out for loyal fans who stroll down the path in Fish Creek's Peninsula State Park each year. Laughter and merry-making surely capture the participants attention and amusing enjoyment. http://www.folkloretheatre.com/

Family Winery, Fish Creek

Owner Bob Lautenbach, of the Orchard Country Winery founded in 1985, explains how his small family owned this winery housed in a historic dairy barn, built in the early 1900's. The Winery involves all family members in making the many award winning wines. Taking pride in their finished products, the barn was restored by the family to showcase their wines, which are harvested and produced at Orchard, on the Door County peninsula.

While touring this Winery, the visitor can pick the cherries, see the barns that hold the vats and view all the processes that are involved in wine making. The wine making process begins in the orchards and vineyards, where over 100 acres of fruit-bearing trees and grape vines were planted. Bob explained, “The soil on the door peninsula is perfect for producing pure fruit wines such as Montmorency cherry. The climate is mild, the limestone bedrock is rich in nutrients and the winds off the water prevents an early frost".  To tour the Orchard, gives one a sense of understanding the many processes involved in the tasteful flavored wine selections. 

http://www.orchardcountry.com/

The Celebrated Fish Boil

The delicate whitefish, fresh from the local waters of Lake Michigan, makes for a fiery spectacle of the "boil over" that signals it's time to eat the fish. Most assuredly the savory combination of ingredients that fill the boiling kettle plays a strong role. One fact everyone seems to agree on - the end result is delicious.

What began as an economical way to feed large, hungry groups of lumberjacks and fishermen has become an notes: “It’s a perfect opportunity for the home cook to infuse meals with a loving professional touch and a pinch of the exotic.”

It all starts with a hot wood fire under a kettle of salted water. When the temperature is just right, the boil master adds to the kettle a porous steel basket filled with small potatoes and onions. A few minutes later, another basket with the fresh whitefish steaks is added and the water is brought back to a rolling boil. The fish boil experience is available at several restaurants throughout the Peninsula.

http://www.doorcounty.com/dine/fish-boils.aspx

Theatre/Music at the Park

The rich performing arts scene - from classical and jazz music to renowned theater troupes - garners national attention in Door County. Over the past 71 years the Peninsula Players have a history with captivating plays staged at the theatre. The theatre opened its first show, Noel Coward's Hay Fever, on July 25, 1935. Since that time, the theatre's tradition of providing exceptional professional productions of classic and contemporary literature present entertainment and uplift the audiences.

The Peninsula Players Theatre is nestled in a inspiring fragrant cedar forest overlooking the waters of Green Bay. Patrons have the opportunity to come before curtain call to walk along the shore, or picnic outdoors and watch the sunset. Approximately 40 people live on the property including: actors, interns, directors, designers, technicians, stage and managers, creating a supportive network.

http://www.peninsulaplayers.com/