Spring 2017 Newsletter

Out with Brown & White, in with…The Green

I’m not just talking about the instant gratification of that first patch of green on your lawn or the first signs of color from those early crocus and daffodils this spring.

I am talking about perpetuating Green for generations yet to appreciate this unique and special environment we call Earth. Whether it is the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we consume or the atmosphere that protects us … our survival depends on a consciousness of Green.

“Green for the Ages” should be more than just a catch phrase. It has to be a mind-set … an attitude about life that we accept and embrace as part of our everyday rou-tine. A lofty goal, yes, but one that is achievable through positive reinforcement.

Need some reinforcement? Crossroads at Big Creek is here to serve.

How do we deal with all the impervious surface parking areas and driveways that we continuously build? We design one that absorbs water and directs its flow to an area where plant and animal life can utilize it. Observe our parking lot project due for completion this spring.

How do we begin to harness all the energy from the sun reaching us everyday?Check out the four solar arrays that John Hippensteel and his students from NWTC have installed at the Collins Learning Center and the Astronomy Campus.

Want to learn about and observe native plant community establishment? Take a walk out to the Maki Arboretum at Crossroads. We are in our second year of plant-ing and establishing this unique project. The arboretum project will address the question of replacement species for the native beech and ash trees that are under attack from insects and disease.

Maybe you want to observe and understand the value of wetland areas to the fish and waterfowl residents and visitors of Door County. Then you need to walk out to our new dock and observation deck at the mouth of Big Creek in The Cove Preserve.

Need some physical reinforcement? Rich Propsom, our Land and Facilities Manager, can help with the evolving trail systems on our main preserve and The Cove and Ida Bay preserves. “Run Green” in our Crossroads Trail Run this June at Crossroads and experience it all.

Green. It isn’t just a thought. It’s an experience at Crossroads.

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Dick Weidman,
President, Board of Directors at Crossroads


A Month of Celebrating EARTH DAY

Crossroads thrives because of collaboration. This Earth Day season, Crossroads will join a number of environmental groups to provide educational events from Earth Day until the end of May. All events are dedicated in some way to protecting our Earth.

Door County Earth Day

Saturday, April 22, 7:00 pm

WILD WORDS: Earth Day Stories About Our Connection to the Land

Presented by Door County High School students

Ten students from across the county will share stories- in words and pictures- about their personal connection with the land, from family history to favorite outdoor activities to how they dream about their environment in the future. Light refresh-ments provided by Friends of Crossroads. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Door County Land Trust, Write On Door County, and Crossroads at Big Creek.

Wednesday, April 26, 6:30 pm

Screening of the film: “Before the Flood”

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens and Academy Award®-winning actor, and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio, Before the Flood presents a riveting account of the dramatic changes now occurring around the world due to climate change.

Sponsored by Celebrate Earth Week and the Climate Change Coalition of Door County.

Friday, April 28

Sevastopol High School tree planting at Crossroads Sponsored by Celebrate Earth Week

Saturdays, April 29 and May 6

Graduate Level Education Outreach Class: Trees Through the Curriculum

Visit Education Outreach University of Wisconsin-GB http://www.uwgb.edu/educationoutreach/ for syllabus and registration materials. Collins Learning Center. Non-credit option available.

Saturday, April 29, 6:30 pm

Screening of the Film: “The Great Ledge”

The program begins with Green Music prelude, followed by the film about the Niagara Escarpment and an after-the-show Q&A and discussion. Sponsored by Climate Change Coalition of Door County, Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership.

Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 pm

“Citizen Action to Protect the Waters of Northeast Wisconsin”

Dean Hoegger, president of Clean Water Action Council of Northeast Wisconsin, will give an update on the state of our ground and surface waters. Sponsored by Clean Water Action Council of Northeast Wisconsin and Celebrate Earth Week.

Tuesday, May 16, 7:00 pm

Screening of the Film: Sustainable; A Documentary

Sustainable is a film about the land, the people who work it and what must be done to .wasteland, and pioneers the sustainable food movement in Chicago. Sponsored by Kewaunee CARES

Friday, May 19

Sunrise School Earth Day

 

Wednesday, May 24

Sunset School Earth Day

 

Thursday, May 25

Sawyer School Earth Day

 

Thursday, May 25 – 28

15th Annual Door County Festival of Nature

Visit www.RidgesSanctuary.org for information, Festival booklet, and registration materials. Partners in Conservation: The Ridges Sanctuary, Crossroads at Big Creek, The Door County Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Wetlands Association.

Wednesday, May 31

Sunset 4-K Earth Day
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A Sincere Thank You to 2016 Donors

$50,000 and up

Anonymous fund of the Door
County Community Foundation Don and Coggin Heeringa Anonymous

$25,000 – 49,999

Portland Trust II

$5,000 – 9,999

James and Cathy Collins
Door County Medical Center
Dick and Annie Egan fund of the Door County Community Foundation

$2,500 – $4,999

Christine Gritzmacher and Tom Pollock
Pat and Dick Machas
Barb and Mike Madden
Maihaugen Foundation
MMG Foundation, Inc.
Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Foundation
Sturgeon Bay Utilities
Brian and Joan Wake
Wis. Space Grant Consortium

$1,000 – $2,499 Anonymous

Dennis and Bonnie Connolly
Door County Community Foundation
Eastman Estate
Cynthia and Jack Follick
Tom and Peggy Hauser
Hislop Family Foundation
Ed and Cindy Koutnik
Learning in Retirement
John and Nancy Munch
Eric and Dee Paulsen
David and Lori Nicholas
Shelia Turner

$500 – $999

John and Connie Acker
Bonita and Daniel Balch Family Fund of the Green Bay Community Foundation
Lee and Susan Basten
Rev. Anthony Birdsall fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Breakfast Rotary of Sturgeon Bay C & S Manufacturing
Callsen Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Henry Carstens Estate and Family
David and Janet Daniel
Door Property Owners
Fran and Arliss Everson
Green Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Pat and Judy Fitzgerald
Grace and Bruce Frudden
Friends of Crossroads
Jilot Insurance Agency
Herlache Historical Preservation
Fund of the Door County
Community Foundation
John and Nell Herlache
Diane Jome
Randy and Mary Kenny
Paul and Kanani King
Karl and Lucy Klug
Joy Maccaux
Jim and Valerie Maki
Margaret Madel
Meissner Family Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Ivy Nelson
Nicolet Bank
Noon Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay
Robert and Carol Moellenberndt
Todd and Shelley Parrish
Pinkert Law Firm LLP
Ross Estate Planning
Anonymous
Bill and Betty Parsons
Bela and Ruth Sandor
Volunteer Center of Door County
Norm and Mabel Watkins
John and Cathy Wiese
Wulf Brothers, Inc.

$250 – $449

Animal Clinic of Sturgeon Bay
Susan Austad
Bayside Home Medical
Gerry and Jane Berg
Al Briggs
Bill and Yvonne Boetcher
Jane and Barbara Bunning
Carol DeVault
State Farm Insurance
Peggy Carstens
Joseph and Lori Cedzo
Mary Jane Combs
Dentistry by Design
Door County Dental Care
Mike and Sue Eliason
Bill and Sarah Freyman
Scott and Kerry Galson
John Glessner
Robert and Irene Gray
HATCO
Herb H. Kohl Charities
John and Laurel Hauser Family Foundation of the Door County Community Foundation
Trudy Herbst
Tom and Jill Herlache
Dave Jordan and Linda Hinkston
John and Karen Kierstyn
Lucy Kile
Robert and Jillane Leonard
Leroy and Marilyn Liebe
Katie (Claire) Malvetz
Evelyn and Curt Mingle
Chris and Logan Naidoo
Susan Nelson
Carol McDonough-Noterman
NorDoor Sport and Cyclery
Janice Olson
Betty Ostram
Peninsula Planters Garden Club
Madelyn Ostrand
Robert and Katherine Rock
Grace and Glenn Rossman
Dorothy Russell
Staudenmaier Chiropractic
John and Jane Stevenson Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Tim and Sue Stone
Rod and Marian Schlise
Stellar Enterprise LLC
Barbara and Michael Sweeny
Dan and Heidi Tomaszewski
Nancy Tong
Trolley Tours of Door County, Inc.
Mark and Lucia Allen Voreis
Deb Whitelaw Gorski
Whitetails Unlimited
Stephen and Joan Wilkie
Zion United Methodist Church
Gordon Webber
Dave and Jackie Udell
Dick and Mari Weidman

$100 to $249

John and Sandy Asher
Edson and Loretta Allen
Tom and Sue Alt
Roger and Sandy Anderson
Nanette Anschutz
Dean and Sue Anschutz
Jeanne Barnard
Walter Bentley
Sherry Billett and Joel Kitchens
Patrick Blizel
Philip and Cynthia Block
Birmingham Builders
Randy and Jane Bumgardner
David and Ann Conger
Philip Dorchester
Charles and Joanne Dull
Anonymous
Jane Dalton
Dorene Dempster and Mark Herrell
Anonymous
Nick Doane
DORSAL LLC
Egg Harbor Business Association
Rob and Colleen Elliot
Cleida Galligan
Ronn and Mary Gilbert
Susan Gilson
John Glesner
Michael and Connie Glowacki
Albert and Lyn Goeppinger
Jane Guthrie
Katherine Green
John Guenther
Robert and Donna Hays
Hannamann – Gosser Insurance
James Harbaugh
Havegard Farm, Inc.
Gary and Barbara Henkelmann
Mel and Ruth Henrichs
Nicole Herbst
Kenneth and Jean Hill
John Hippensteel
James Hoehn and Nancy Goldberg
Dave and Liz Hoffman
DeAnne Hoffman
Mark and Michaela Holey
Robert and Rebecca Hoover
Hope Fellowship
James and Phyllis Ingwersen
Rick and Nancy Jeanquart
Delane Jome
Herb Klein and Cal Bonniver
Christina Koehn
Gerald and Nancy Krause
Gary and Michelle Kemp
Deborah and John Kiedrowski
Robert and Janice King
Jennifer and Jordan Kobilca
Jeffrey and Brenda Lange
Arlene Lenius
Ron and Judy Lokken
Charlotte Lukes
Earlene Lutzke
Nancy Mattke
Karl and Erika May
Allen Miller and Victoria Dirst
Gerald and Patricia Olson
Peninsula Planters Garden Club
Bill and Barb Perloff
Jon and Leanne Pinkert
Harry and Judy Porter
Matthew and Rebekah Propsom
Joyce Risser
Ross Wealth Management
Kathy Rowe
Dorothy Russell
Dick and Dottie Shappell
Gretchen Schmelzer
Carl and Ruth Scholz
Jerry and Ronda Schomburg
Sally Schopf
Pete and Carol Schuster – LfpDesign! LLC
Carrie Sherrill
Peter and Gloria Sigmann
Nyla Small
E. Lee Somerville
Michael and Cheryl Sorenson
James and Tina Stawicki
Keith and Yvonne Stukenberg
Third Avenue Playhouse
Kerry and Kathleen Vavra
Lee and Ray Vlaming
Anonymous
Rob and Cathy Vuksanovic
Michael and Millirose Walker
Elizabeth and Joseph Wallner
Frank and Carol Weber
Jeff and Maggie Weir
Tripp and Nancy Widder
Danny and Mary Williams
Elizabeth and James Williamson
Hal and Shirley Winsborough
Young Automotive
Duane and Leslie Youngsteadt

$50 – 99

Marlene Allen
Heidi Bader
James and Elizabether Baxter
Carol Bockhop
John and Gisela Brogan
Warren and Nancy Burland
John and Katherine Campbell
Bill and Cheryl Chaudior
Peter and Carol Clikeman
George and Margaret Collier
Daniel and Chris Daubner
Michael And Sandra Demaster
Richard and Sandra Dirks
Joan A. Draeb
Cathy Eckers
Joan Ehbar
Nancy Emery
Philip and Sandra Fransen
Emery and Pam Freiberg
Elaine Gabert
Janet Gale
Judith Germain
Ron and Mary Greisen
Gerald and Mary Lou Guth
Jim and Sandy Hansen
Earl and Ruth Hellmann
Barbara and Doug Henderson
Carol Hobson
Dean Hoegger
Mark and Michaela Holey
Christine Holicek
Brian and Lori Holtz
Dale and Joan Jeanquart
Gary and Michelle Kemp
Ruth Kelsen
Allen and Darleen Kimber
Tammy Kroll
Cathy Laba
Anonymous
Chris and Constance Larsen
Norb and Pat Lenius
Lawrence and Elfriede Leport
Jan Livingston
Ellen Looker
Andrew and Clare Lubar
Earlene Lutzke
Jill Mackey-Feist
Judy and Lew Juadis
Marian Mailand
Paul and Marilyn Mahlberg
Shawn and Susan Melarvie
David McDounough
Jane McKie and David Zuhlke Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Joyce Miller
Keith and Christine Miller
Gretchen Montee
Bob McCurdy
Mike and Liz Orlock
Betty Ostram
Sigrid and Tony Peot
Rachel Pratt
Ann Quale
Joyce Risser
George and Kristi Roenning
John Rosenthal
Pat and Kathy Saladin
Sandy and Randy Sames
Karen Sandstom
Gordon and Diane Saron
Alice Sautebin
Bill and Mary Jo Schaars
Robert and Pat Scieszinski
Brent Sieling and Megan Schliesman
Jeane Schopf
Edward Schriner-Schmitt
Marguerite and Dennis Skahen
Mark and Mary Stevenson
Gertrude Stillman
Gary Soule
Trish Stocking
Sturgeon Bay Class of 1956
Julie Taylor
Trudy Toft and Mark Dupey
James and Donna Urban
Randy Watermolen
Clifford Wind
Richard and Sharon Virlee
Anonymous
Carmen Youra
Geri Szuberia

$1 – 49

Eileen Andrera
Carol and John Bartoszek
Jane Bruesch
Barbara Chislholm
Cheryl Choronzy
Rose Coisman
Elaine Cregan
Travis Gooters
Deborah Jeanquart
Ann Jerdee
Allan And Darleen Kimber
Tammy Kroll
Robert and Janice King
Eileen Koelpien
Darlene and Tom Kolp
Chris and Connie Larsen
Donna Leighton
Ellen Looker
Margaret Lott
Janet Mickelson
Bill and Sonja Polster
Belinda Richard
Glen and Karen Reichard
Marsha Smith
Scott Steebs
Mary Stephenson
Geri Szuberla
Kurt and Tara Stueber
Suzanne Wagner
Jon and Cythia Wargo
Jolene Wilson

Business Members

$500 Level

C & S Manufacturing
Ross Estate Planning
W E Builders
Wulf Brothers

$250 Level

Eagle Mechanical
Meissner Landscape
Pinkert Law Firm LLP

$100 Level

Trolley Tours of Door County
LfpDesign! LLC

In Memory of…

Henry Carstens
Randy and June Bumgardener
Coggin Heeringa
Peg Carstens
Jill Carstens
Jane Jorstad
Eric and Dee Paulsen

Richard Haines
Nancy Mattke
Janet Michelson

Diane Jome
Carol Bartoszek
Coggin Heeringa
Jim and Valerie Maki
Delane Jome
Sigrid Peot
Marguerite Skahen

Tom Kile
Don and Coggin Heeringa
Dale and Joan Jeanquart
Paul and Kanani King
Lucy Kile
Thomas and Suzanne Kuffel
Marian and Rod Schlise
David and Judith Ward

Evenel Jacobson
Judy and Lew Juadis

Gerry King
Paul & Kanani King
Matt and Mike King

Randall Knudson
Christy and Jeff Hemesath
Sharon E. Leslie
Lind and Michael Kozanecki
James and Valerie Maki
Ann Marie Yates

Eunice McCormick
John and Beth Yount

Claire and Leroy Olsen
Susan Nelson

Robert Reed
Bill and Julie Meyers

Robert Stierna
Don and Coggin Heeringa

In Honor of…

Desmond and Laszlo
Marcus and Margit Kelley

Support Team at Sunset School
Jeanne Barnard

Birthday for Gina Webb
Connie and Troy Zak

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Please Help us LIGHT the LOT!

Crossroads lot lightsPhase I of our parking lot upgrade and expansion is completed and paid for. And as soon the weather and soil conditions permit, we will begin our environmentally responsible paving. Because of the generosity of individuals, funds, and foundations, we have raised enough money for the paving.

BUT…we still need to raise the funds to underwrite the biodetenion pond (a.k.a. raingarden) and the lighting. Obviously, adequate parking lot lighting is necessary for safety and aesthetics.

But as an environmental center, our goal is to protect the natural dark sky … for people, for wildlife, for plants, for professional and amateur astronomers (the parking lot is very near the Leif Everson Observatory), and for our bottom line.

Inappropriate lights can disorient wildlife and also interfere with circadian rhythms, migration, mating and foraging of birds, insects, amphibians and mammals. Even humans experience sleep disturbances from excess lighting, especially light from the blue end of the spectrum. And glare can create dangerous conditions for drivers and pedestrians.

If all goes according to plan, we will install warm LED lights which contain no mercury and are engineered to avoid glare and light pollution. And, they can be affordably dimmed!

This means (again, if we can afford it) our shielded lights can be lowered or even turned off when nobody is present to benefit. But using timers and motion detectors, we will be able to adequately light the parking lot when people are attending programs.

Because Dark Sky Lighting truly is an environmental project, we invite you to make an Earth Day gift to Crossroads designated for this Parking Lot Lighting. With your help, we will be able to install lighting that meets Dark Sky specifications, minimizes glare and reduces light pollution, yet provides an adequately lit area that feels safe and secure. By summer, no matter how popular the program, you should be able to find a parking space when you come to Crossroads.

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Garden Workshop for Families

Crossroads Garden WorkshopFamilies are invited to participate in a three-session sustainable gardening class sponsored by Friends of Crossroads and Master Gardeners of Door County.

Under the guidance of instructors Pat Thorp of Pat’s Patch Organic Produce and Master Gardener Patsy Stierna, participants will start seeds in the Crossroads greenhouse, discover how to make good garden soil, learn to keep weeds under control, to transplant seedlings, and to and grow and eat their own vegetables.

Crossroads Garden WorkshopThe materials cost is $15, but each participating family will take home at least $50 worth of plants. This class fills up quickly! Register by e-mail info@crossroadsatbigcreek.org. Or by calling 746-5895 – when registering, please provide you name, names/ages of children, your email and phone number. Pay on the first night of class.

Wednesdays: April 19, May 10 & May 24 from 6:00 – 7:30


Crossroads Trail Run has something green for everyone!

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Crossroads Trail RunOn June 24 with a start time of 8:00 AM, Friends of Crossroads at Big Creek will host the annual 2k, 5k, 10k trail run and walk attracting outdoor recreational enthusiasts from around the state and nation.

The trail event takes place on our own 200-acre Big Creek, Ida Bay, and The Cove preserves. Reflecting the mission of promoting green living in our community, all participants and volunteers upon crossing the finish line select a native plant … either a Silky Dogwood, Choke Cherry, or Downy Service Berry donated by Evergreen Nursery.

We invite you to volunteer, sponsor or participate. This chip timed event is for all ages, all levels of runners and walkers, and a great family event. Visit www.CrossroadsRun.com for information and to register or stop by the Collins Learning Center for a registration form.

Major Sponsors include Door County Medical Center, Sturgeon Bay Utilities, Marine Travelift, and Evergreen Nursery

This event is part of the Run The Door series.


Download a pdf of our Spring 2017 newsletter

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