Eddie Allen of WDOR...

Eddie’s father started the radio station in 1951 and now Eddie’s son Danny Allen is following in his dad’s footsteps at WDOR.  I first met Eddie when I worked at the savings and loan in Sturgeon Bay in 1978 where I usually saw him at the post office. WDOR broadcasts many of Door County sporting events including Mark’s Northern Door Chiefs, so when I couldn’t go to the games I could at least listen to them which was great.  Thanks WDOR.

Mark and our friend Paul Dejardine cook brats and hamburgers for most of the home games…

brat cookers, Mark, Paul and Craig

Our infamous announcer is none other than the Door County Visitor Bureau’s Jon Jarosh…

Jon Jarosh and me

We coordinated outfits that day…  If you haven’t seen Jon’s Explore the Door Podcasts, you are missing out… he is a natural.  Check them out here.

Egg Harbor is in the playoffs and they beat Jacksonport (our arch rivals) today and will play Washington Island next Sunday.  Joe will have to come back from UW-Stevens Point to play.  He left right now but not before I took this picture of him and his packed to the gills truck.

Joe heading to Stevens Point

It feels a lot less sad this year, but we will still miss him tons.  Last year I was traumatized when he left. Don’t tell anyone but I think he was too.  He is super excited because he and his roommates waited in line for a long time in hopes of getting the dorm room with a kitchen… they did.  Dorms with kitchens? Give me a break, what ever happened to hot pots and ramen?  Joe’s Uncle Bert said today it sounds like burnt pizza to him… me too.

Egg Harbor’s team has raised enough money for a well… hopefully that means real bathrooms eventually.  The players built their own beer/food stand a couple of years ago.  Door County League Baseball is a great way to spend what Nellie and Emilie like to call “Sunday Funday”.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO…

Nice job Chelsea… you’ll always have our vote!!

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reading my new favorite mag...

I just picked up the autumn edition of Door County Living… it is now my new favorite magazine.  Door County Living is the sister publication of the Peninsula Pulse a free weekly publication and resource of Door County arts, news and entertainment.  Both publications have tons of interesting articles with info about Door County residents, businesses, characters, restaurants, nature and of course art.  The Pulse is the go-to guide for entertainment in DC.   Coincidentally, both are free… yes, free.  I love free stuff.

Anyway, while I was reading the latest edition of Door County Living I stumbled across an article (The Small School Experience by Gary Jones a Gibraltar teacher) about the three Northern Door Schools… Sevastopol (where our kids attended), Gibraltar (where Mark and I graduated) and Washington Island (there were 6 graduates this year) and low and  behold there was a quote from our son Joe who just graduated from Sevastopol.  Upon further reading,  our older son Josh’s  in-laws were mentioned (A Sea of Orchards) as owners of  Schartner’s Farm Market along with our grandson Jaden.

In the article about Door County golf,  there were three photos of our God son, Ed Strege.  I guess it is just really special to have a nice, glossy magazine that can really get to the heart and soul of Door County.  Like George Bailey said,  it is the citizens that “do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community” … it is nice to read about them as well.

There are probably 6 Door County radio stations but of course I have two favorites.  WDOR owned and operated by Eddie Allen and his son Danny.  We have known Eddie for well over 30 years.  I met him when I worked at the Savings and Loan in Sturgeon Bay and he did the play by play for the Door County League Baseball which he still does to this day.  The radio station is still listened to by many for its local sports, news and interviews with people regarding current events.  Deloris Allen, Eddie’s mom used to read a new recipe everyday…   many which I still have.  At Christmas time, The Cinnamon Bear story was told bit by bit each day for the children after school.

While WDOR will always be a favorite, as far as music goes, I would have to go with 106.9 The Lodge.   I love it.  Good music,  local artists on Wednesday nights at nine and best of all… no “opinions” from the owners or anyone else for that matter.  They also don’t read the police report… another bonus.  They play tons of Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffet.  It is not a “classic” station or a pop station but a combination of really great music, some old some new.  Our daughter Emilie’s friend Chrystal Kugle is a DJ on the weekends.  She is a communications major at UW-Milwaukee.  One of  The Lodge slogans goes something like no sports, no shopping shows or court reports.  Now that is music to my ears.

In my honorable mention catagory I would have to mention WSRG 97.7 The Big Dawg… my kids are all a huge fan of this station and its music.  While I am not a big country fan I am probably in the minority in Door County.

At any rate publications or music… Door County rocks!

I love this song by Billy Ray Cyrus… it  is exactly how I am feeling right now…

He’s gotta do what he’s gotta do
And I’ve gotta like it or not
He’s got dreams too big for this town
And he needs to give ‘em a shot
Whatever they are

Looks like he’s all ready to leave
Nothing left to pack
There ain’t no room for me in that car
Even if he asked me to tag along
God I gotta be strong

He’s at the startin’ line of the rest of his life
As ready as he’s ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in his eyes
The prize is his to win
He’s waitin’ on our blessings before he hits that open road
Baby get ready
Get set
Don’t go

He says things are fallen into place
Feels like they’re fallen apart
I painted this big ol’ smile on my face
To hide my broken heart
If only he knew
This is where I don’t say what I want so bad to say

This is where I want to but I won’t get in the way
Of him and his dreams
And spreadin’ his wings

He’s at the startin’ line of the rest of his life
As ready as he’s ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in his eyes
The prize is his to win
He’s waitin’ on our blessings before he hits that open road
Baby get ready
Get set
Don’t go

Joe, we know you will do just fine… we will miss you so much, but in a good way… and please sweetheart , don’t forget to change your sheets and wash your underwear.

Love always,

Mom + Dad

Vicki is about the bubbliest (is that a word?)  person I know.  Her enthusiasm really shows in her business.  Mark and I met her when she first started Door County Coffee in Forestville in 1993.  She has since moved the business to a new building in Carlsville which is about 5 miles south of Egg Harbor.  Vicki’s coffee house and retail shop attract tons of customers.  They make at least 70 different kinds of coffee with specials every day.  They recently added a drive-thru window which opens every day at 6:30 a.m.  Her retail shop has really beautiful seasonal decorations along with books, greeting cards and china.  The coffee shop boasts a bakery, breakfasts and light lunches.  I have been to their high tea with some friends from the YMCA.  Since I am more of a cannibal sandwich type of girl, the tea was a whole new, but lovely experience.  I was mostly concerned I wouldn’t get enough to eat but I was wrong.  The little sandwiches and desserts were beautiful and filling.  I am not sure if I will start drinking tea as opposed to coffee, however.  It is a perfect spot for breakfast with your sweetie or with some girlfriends who want to “do lunch”.  Check it out next time you pass through Carlsville when you are in Door County.

This is Vicki with some of her employees.

I just missed Joe’s cousin Kimberly Sawyer- Miss Door County.  Her platform is Give Blood, Save a Life.  Blood transfusions saved the life of our oldest Josh when he had leukemia when he was little.  So needless to say donating blood is a good deed near and dear to our hearts.  I was pretty proud of Joe and all of his friends who gave blood yesterday.  Nice job kids!

 It’s pretty cool this guy is doing benefit concerts his first week home.  By the way, all three concerts sold out in a short amount of time.  Nellie said he was excellent and played tons of great songs. 

Our Joe won his football game Friday night.  Our Sevastopol Pioneers did not have a very good year last year so the win was huge.  Joe is a senior and the quarterback so he was pretty excited.  I was really proud when after the game he came over to the sideline to give me a big hug.

Our niece Annie Bley and her Sevastopol High School relay team came in 1st place at state on Saturday!! We are all super proud…