TRAILS : Rolled Friday afternoon. Some drifting.
Door County Reads
Space Race Family Fair
Foxes are running in pairs, owls are hooting duets, and squirrels are involved in their midwinter breeding chases. It’s almost Valentine’s Day at the Crossroads.
It you feed birds, which probably means you also feed mammals, you might notice that the squirrels are spending less time robbing the feeders and more time—especially in the morning— involved in elaborate and acrobatic chases through the treetops. Grey squirrels have two breeding season each year. We tend not to notice the summer mating chase, but in the leafless trees of winter, it’s hard to miss.
A female squirrel is followed, usually by two or three, but sometime up to ten males, all making a weird staccato “chuck” call. The most experienced male tends to be closest behind the female, and the younger males trail behind, leaping from branch to branch.
The males fight with each other and once in a while, the female aggressively turns on her entourage. Eventually, the dominant male becomes the father. For the inexperienced youngsters, the chase is a learning experience.
Valentine’s Day is a learning experience for most human youngsters. I harbor anguished memories of Valentine Boxes –shoeboxes covered red and pink construction paper and heart-shaped doilies stuck on with lumps of white paste. In the center was a slit in which (please…oh, please) all or at least most of my classmates would drop one of those hideous cutout cardboard Valentines.
Life was not as simple during the early 60s as episodes of “Leave It to Beaver” might suggest. Schools conducted nightmare-inducing Duck and Cover Drills and teachers focused on arithmetic and science, convinced it would help America win the Space Race.
Ordinary Grace, the book selection for this year’s Door County Reads was set in 1961—the year Astronaut Alan Shepard was blasted into space, the year our handsome young President Kennedy announced his decision that America would fly to the Moon.
During the Door County Library book discussions, participants of a certain age agreed that this special book evoked memories more than a half century old. So it seems appropriate the Finale for Door County Reads will be The Space Race Family Fair on Valentine’s Day, Saturday from 2:00-4:00 in the Collins Learning Center.
The Space Race began in 1957 with the launch of Sputnik. The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will help us celebrate the amazing accomplishments, goals, and adventuresome spirit of those days. Weather permitting, there will be an outdoor demonstration of rocket launching.
Also during the Fair, Friends of the Library, Friends of Crossroads and the Door County Historical Society will share music, memorabilia and flavors of the 50’s and 60’s. Participants will make simple, nostalgic Valentine crafts. Everyone is sure to find something of interest.
Weather permitting, on Valentine’s Evening, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will hold a Viewing Night at the Crossroads’ Astronomy Campus starting at 7:00. If skies are clear, you and your loved ones can enjoy the romance of Door County’s beautiful night sky with members of DPAS as your guides. Use the Utah Street Entrance (by the sculpture of ExoPlanet X) to reach the StarGarden and Leif Everson Observatory.
Beekeeping is growing in popularity in Door County. A group of beekeepers are exploring the possibility of forming organization and invite interested people to meet on Sunday, February 15 at 3:30 in the Collins Learning Center. All are invited to attend.
The Climate Change Coalition of Door County invites the community to a presentation on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00. Joel Charles, M.D./M.P.H. will speak on “The Climate Crisis and American Health: Turning from Threat to Opportunity.”He will discuss findings on climate change, how it will affect our health and how current energy practices impact health. Dr. Charles will offer clear policy prescriptions and suggest actions that health professionals and other can take to address these issues.
Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported preserve, welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan in Sturgeon Bay, is open daily 2:00-4:30 and during scheduled activities. Trails are free and open to the public. Ski trails are reserved for skiing only. Bikers, hikers, and pet walkers should use designated hiking trails. Snow shoes may be used anywhere…except the Ski Trails.
Thursday, February 12
1:00-3:30 Ski-For-Free…if we have snow
Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports will lend ski and snow shoe equipment free of charge . Equipment must be used at Crossroads. Come to the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center.
Saturday, February 14
1:00-3:30 Ski-For-Free if we have snow
Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports will lend ski and snow shoe equipment free of charge Equipment must be used at Crossroads. Come to the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center.
2:00-4:00 Finale to Door County Reads: Family Space Race Fair
The year 1961, the setting for “Ordinary Grace,” was the year the US sent a man into space for the first time. The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will help us celebrate the amazing accomplishments, goals, and adventuresome spirit of those days. Weather permitting, there will be an outdoor demonstration of rocket launching. Also, Friends of the Library, Friends of Crossroads and the Door County Historical society will share music, memorabilia and flavors of the 50’s and 60’s. And participants will make simple, nostalgic Valentine crafts. Free and open to learners of all ages.
7:00 Viewing Night at the Astronomy Campus
Weather permitting, on Valentine’s Evening, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will hold a Viewing Night at the Astronomy Campus starting at 7:00. If skies are clear, you and your loved ones can enjoy the romance of Door County’s Night Sky, with members of DPAS as your guides. Use the Utah Street Entrance (turn at the sculpture of ExoPlanet X) to reach the StarGarden and Leif Everson Observatory. Free and open to the public.
Sunday, February 15
1:00-3:30 Ski-For-Free if we have snow
Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports will loan ski and snow shoe equipment free of charge . Equipment must be used at Crossroads. Come to the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center.
3:30 Door County Bee Keepers Organizational Meeting
Local bee keepers will gather in the Collins Learning Center to discuss the possibility of forming an organization. All interested people are welcome.
Tuesday, February 17,
Climate Change Coalition Presentation:
The Climate Crisis and American Health: Turning form Threat to Opportunity
Joel Charles, M.D./M.P.H. will discuss findings on climate change, how it will affect our health and how current energy practices impact health. Dr. Charles will offer clear policy prescriptions and suggest actions that health professionals and other can take to address these issues. Free and open to the public.
