Getting it Done
Visiting Crossroads this summer, you probably noticed a lot of activity centering around our facilities and trail system. Last spring, we corrected the structural problems on the south side of the Collins Learning Center and finished Learning Space in the Lower Level. What a transformation!
This summer, the trail system at Ida Bay was expanded and recently seeded with grass, which should be sprouting as you read this newsletter. Work also is progressing on the Big Creek Cove. The old dock was dismantled and we hope to replace it next year. Also, not as noticeable, but of significant importance to Crossroads programing, is the establishment of a dedicated area in the Maintenance Building for the “Ski For Free” program.
The obvious question is who has been doing all this work and tackling all these projects? That person is our new Property Manager, Rich
Propsom, who just happens to be our neighbor to the east of the CLC on the other side of Big Creek. Rich has a tremendous skill set based on the positions he has held, of which most recently as a Project Manager for Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department. His knowledge of environmental issues, native plant communities, soil and water interactions and his many fabrication skills have already, and hopefully for many years to come, enhanced programing and experiences for all who visit Crossroads.
Have a memorable Autumn Season and see you on the trails.
Dick Weidman,
President, Board of Directors at Crossroads
Interactive Archaeology At Ida Bay Preserve
We invite you to be involved in an archaeological dig! We knew, long before The Nature Conservancy gave the property to Crossroads, that the Ida Bay Preserve was extraordinary – ancient hemlock and beech forests, mature hardwood and several mixed-aged examples of second growth forest. We suspected that this land, located at the end of the original bay of Sturgeon Bay, might have been the site of an Indian settlement.
Buoyed by the results of the preliminary surveys we conducted on the original Crossroads property (which involved the hands-on participation of about 700 schoolchildren) we wrote grant proposals to do a preliminary survey of the Ida Bay property and were funded for the Phase I work with grants from the Raibrook and Maihaugen Foundations.
During October, we will dig in two or three test units. While the supervision and identification will be carried out by the professionals, we intend to offer area schools the opportunity to participate, we are offering a teacher education class through UW-GB (which is open to non-credit participants), and we also would like to offer hands-on experiences to adult volunteers during the final week of the month.
Thank you for making this Historical Research possible
- Paul and Fran Burton
- Dennis and Bonnie Connolly
- The Clifford and Clara Herlache Fund
- John and Nell Herlache
- Historical Preservation Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
- Mike and Barb Madden
- Maihaugen Foundation
- Midwest Archaeological Consultants
- Raibrook Foundation
Donations for “Getting It Done” in 2015
Gifts made from January 1 – August 31
$50,000
Ray Stonecipher
$25,000 – $49,999
1923 Fund
$10,000 – $24,999
Don and Coggin Heeringa
$5,000 – 9,999
Christine Gritzmacher and
Tom Pollock
Estate of Margaret Foster
$2,500 to $4,999
The Estate of Helen Collins
Ministry Door County
Medical Center
Wisconsin Space
Grant Consortium
$1,000 to $2,499
Rev. Anthony Birdsall
Connolly Family
Charitable Foundation
Meissner Family Foundation
MMG Foundation
David and Lori Nicholas
Sheila Turner
$500 to $999
Jim Campbell
Grace and Bruce Frudden
Clifford and Clara Herlache Foundation
John and Nell Herlache Foundation
David and Kelly Kudlik
Barb & Mike Madden Fund
Robert and Carol Moellenberndt
Historic Preservation Fund
of DC Community Foundation
Door Property Owners
Ivy Nelson
Noon Rotary Club
Bill and Betty Parsons
Sturgeon Bay Utilities
Norm and Mabel Watkins
$250 to $499
John and Cathy Acker
Animal Clinic of Sturgeon Bay
Joseph and Lori Cedzo
Jim and Cathy Collins
Mary Jane Combs
Dorene Dempster and Mark Herrell
Door County Environmental Council
Eagle Mechanical
Katie Malvetz
Northern Door Pet Clinic
Jeff and Barb Ottum
Pinkert Law Firm
Tim and Sue Stone
Heidi and Daniel Tomaszewski
Volunteer Center of Door County
Golden Heart Award
Norm and Mabel Watkins
Stephen and Joan Wilkie
$100 to $249
John and Connie Acker
Roger and Sandy Anderson
Bank of Luxemberg
William and Jane Berg
Gerald and Denice Bernstein
Bill and Marie Bertschiner
Mary Ann Blahnik
Eileen and Rod Bohn
Helen Collins
Carole Connelly
Karen Cowan
Carol DeVault – State Farm
Dorsal, LLC
Mardele and Ione Engleking
Scott and Kerry Galson
Anonymous
Deb Whitelaw Gorski
John and Chris Guenther
Thomas and Jill Herlache
Linda Hinkston
John Hippensteel
Mark and Pam Honold
Hope Fellowship
Jacob’s Bluefront Café
Jeanquart Associate, Inc.
Denise and Michael Johnsen
Cathy Laba
Paul Lambeck
Pat and Norb Lenius
Joy Maccaux
Paul and Marilyn Malberg
Nancy Mattke
Tom and Claire Minahan
Curt and Evelyn Mingle
Nor Door Sport and Cyclery Inc.
Madelyn Ostrand
Dee and Eric Paulsen
Peninsula Planters Garden Club
Bill and Barb Perloff
Ron and Cynthia Peterson
Harr y and Judy Porter
Gregor y Ristow
George and Kristi Roenning
Ross Wealth Management, Inc.
Bob and Teri Starr
Pam and Dennis Starr
Gertrude Stillman
Mike and Barbara Sweeny
Thrivent Financial
James and Donna Urban
Van Akkeren Family Trust
James Webb
Dick and Mari Weidman
Wild Ones of Door County
Peter Wyatt and Victoria Cernich
Rob and Cathy Vuksanovic
Beth and John Yount
Dwight and Pam Zeller
$50 – $99
Marlene Allen
Dean and Sue Anschutz
Sarah Anchutz
Jeanne Barnard
Pat Blizzel
Randy and Jane Bumgardner
Joan A. Draeb
June Ehabar
Myrtle Felhofer
David Furjanic and
Murenn KellyFurjanic
Gerald and Mary Lou Guth
Earl and Ruth Hellmann
Nicole Herbst
Karen Johnson
Judy Juadis
Paul and Kanani King
Thomas and Suzanne Kuffel
John and Elsie Lindgren
Jim and Valerie Maki
Gregory and Marsha Meissner
Joyce Miller
Mark and Jennifer Moeller
Gretchen Montee
Harr y and Judy Porter
Matt Propsom
Ann Quale
Brent Sieling and
Megan Schliesman
Rod and Marian Schlise
Scott Steebs
Raymond and M. Lee Vlaming
Scott Wake
Randy Watermolen
Carmen Youra
$1 – 49
Helen Jane Anschutz
Heidi Bader
John and Carol Bartoszek
Cherly Choronzy
Rose Coisman
Concetta Del Buono
Jessica DeJarin
Arvin and Judi Dexheimer
Cathy Eckers
Paul Englebert
Matt and Muldy Engebretson
Greg Engleking
Ione Engleking
George and Margart Evenson
Jane Gutherie
Travis Grooters
Deb Jeanquart
Tammy Kroll
Chris and Connie Larsen
Cindy Livingston
Jan Olson
Betty Ostram
Bill and Sonja Polster
Judy and Harry Porter
Belinda Richard
John Rosenthal
Paul and Winifred Rotz
Jeanne Schopf
Ed Schriner-Schmitt
Marsha Smith
Jim Tellstrom
Linda Walczek
Jolene Wilson
Clifford Wind
Helen Collins
Dan and Jean Austad
Roger and Sandy Anderson
Dean and Susan Anschutz
Baylake Bank
William and Jane Berg
Bill and Marie Bertschinger
Rev. Anthony Birdsall
Kathy Brauer
Cindy Campbell
James Campbell
C & S Manufacturing Employees
Ione and Mardell Engleking
Concetta Del Buono
Jessica and Lori Dejardin
Arvin and Judi Dexheimer
Paula Englebert
Del and Ione Engleking
Greg and Lynn Engleking
George and Margaret Evenson
Michael and Tonya Fellhofer Friends and Family
Mike Grenchik
Coggin Heeringa
Tom and Jill Herlache
Thomas and Jill Herlache
Gary and Sandy King
Diane Knutson
Denise and Michael Johnsen
Pam and Steve Lawrence
Rob and Jill Leonard
Cindy Livingston
Nancy and Bernie Lyons
Marian Mailand
Jim and Valerie Maki
Vernon Meyer
Gregory and Marsha Meissner
Jan Olson
Bill and Betty Parsons
Ron and Cynthia Peterson
Greg and Kathy Rohde
Paul and Winifed Rotz
Rod and Marian Schlise
Marsha Smith
Dennis and Pam Starr
Bob and Terri Starr
Tina and Jim Stawicki
Carol and Barb Tessman
Nadine and Eldred Urban
Marcia Smith
James Webb
Bev Berndt
Jim and Valerie Maki
Don Diefenbach
Connie Knipfer Larsen
Betty Gordon Fries
Judy and Lew Juadis
Mr. & Mrs. Hervey Hauser
Gerry and Denise Bernstein
Ray Kaminski
Tom and Sue Kuffel
Dave Miller
Tom and Sue Kuffel
Kathryn Miller
Harry and Judy Porter
Pat Miller
Tom and Sue Kuffel
Chuck Olson
Jan Olson
Orrin Prindle
Tom and Sue Kuffel
Dorothy and Dick Pruha
Beth and John Yount
Bud Schmitz
Rod and Marion Schlise
Ray Stonecipher
John and Nancy Munch
Coggin Heeringa
Madelyn Ostrand
Eldred Urban
Marian and Rod Schlise
Christine Whyatt
Coggin Heeringa
To Celebrate the Birthdays of…
Brian and Joan Wake
Scott Wake
Dee Paulsen
Madelyn Ostrand
Special Thanks
C&S Manufacturing Employees
Door County Community Foundation
Door County Daily News.com
Door County Environmental Council
Door Property Owners
Guy Fortin
Friends of Crossroads
Lake Michigan Wind and Sun
LfpDesign! LLC
Master Gardeners of Door County
Midwest Archaeological Consultants
Dee and Eric Paulsen
Peninsula Pulse
Andrew Pfeffer
Raibrook Foundation
Sturgeon Bay Home and Garden Club
Sturgeon Bay Utilities
Wild Ones of Door County
Business Members
$500 Level
C & S Manufacturing
Little Hoppers
Ross Estate Planning
Thrivent Financial – Jaqueline Szczepanski
$250 Level
Bayside Home Medical
Eagle Mechanical
Pinkert Law Firm LLC
$100 Level
Bob the Painter
Dorsal, Inc.
Going Garbage
Gordon’s West Side Electric
Jeanquart Associates
LfpDesign! LLC
Peninsula Veterinary Clinic
Reliable Auto Sales
Roen Salvage
Wulf Brothers / HiTec Fabrications
From Running to Skiing The 6th Annual Trail Run
by Gretchen Schmelzer, Team Leader
The 6th annual Crossroads Trail Run, which supports Crossroads Ski-for-
Free ski program and promotes ‘green’ living in our community, made a profit
of $6,966. The event provided 402 runners, 40 plus volunteers and many
spectators the opportunity to exercise outdoors. Research shows just being in
nature increases happiness and boosts one’s feelings of well -being.
All Crossroads Trail Run proceeds are being used to upgrade the ski equipment
and space for the 20 year old, SKI-FOR-FREE program. This winter,
every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:00-3:30 while snow conditions
allow, people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to borrow, free of
charge, cross country ski and snowshoe equipment. Even though it’s still
autumn, feel free to visualize our community members and guests, venturing
outdoors on Crossroads groomed snow trails to enjoy the winter environment
we have in Door County!
County’s first and only trail run together. Hats off to – Bobby Deggendorf,
Colleen Elliott, Kevin Grohskopf, Theresa Kay-Meredith, Deb Whitelaw-Gorski,
Jennifer Lasee, Jason Linzmeier, Jim Maki, John Munch, and Gretchen
Schmelzer.
Thank you to our neighbors – the Desotelles, Ostrand, and Herlaches for
sharing their land with us for this event.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Ministry Door County
Medical Center
Major Sponsors
Evergreen Nursery
Sturgeon Bay Utilities
LAKESHORES
Landscape and Design
Maple Tree Sponsors
Animal Clinic of Sturgeon Bay, LLC
Anytime Fitness
Bayside Home Medical
Door County Candy
Door County Daily News
Lautenbach Orchards
Nor Door Sport & Cyclery
Northern Door Pet Clinic
Pinkert Law Firm LLP
Dr. Dan & Heidi Tomaszewski family
Whitetails Unlimited, Inc.
Dogwood Sponsors
Roger & Sandy Anderson
Associated Bank
Blue Front Cafe
Frozen Spoon
Deb & Paul Gorski
Lake Michigan Wind & Sun, Ltd.
Jim & Val Maki
Dr Shaun & Sue Melarvie
Ross Wealth Management
Gretchen & Steve Schmelzer
State Farm Insurance
Target
Water Research at Crossroads
When most people think of Crossroads at Big Creek, trails, school field trips, running and skiing. lectures, classes and special events come to mind. If people don’t think research, they should!
Since 2004, Crossroads at Big Creek has provided laboratory space in the Collins Learning Center to the researchers from the Environmental Research and Innovation Center of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh , in collaboration with Door County Health Department and the Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department, have been working (day and sometimes night) throughout the summers to monitor the quality of Door County waters at 31 beaches.
determine sources contributing pollution to Door County beaches, and establishing a baseline of beach water quality by:
- developing the general trend data to identify main sources of pollution,
- providing insight to the pollution sources for each beach,
- collecting data that will be useful for producing a predictive multivariate model of contaminant occurrences
- studying the microbial concentrations in sand and their effect on beach water
- and determining whether UV light from the sun reduces the presence of microbes in sand.
This year, funded by a grant from the Healthy Water Door County, a fund of the Door County Community Foundation, the researchers
operated a county-wide well monitoring program in June. Samples were distributed during the Sustainable Living Fair at Crossroads
and returned for testing. The data from this study will serve as a baseline for future research relating to subsurface conditions, nutrient management programs and technology development.
