Door County Pulse Podcasts

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen answer Door County’s most asked question: Are They Bloomin’ Yet? Also, quick access to defibrillators can mean the difference between life and death, something Sister Bay/ Liberty Grove Fire Chief Chris Hecht has witnessed first-hand. He joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. on the podcast to talk about the Defibs4DoorCounty effort to raise $75,000 to expand access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for emergency responders and in high-capacity venues throughout the county.”

David Eliot and Myles Dannhausen Jr. discuss the 2022 Philanthropy edition of Door County Living magazine, which focuses on how Door County communities have invested more than $26 million to open public access to 2,700 feet of shoreline since 2007. The issue is available on newsstands now and was supported by grants from the Wisconsin Humanities Council’s Beyond the Headlines program.

Wayne Spritka, Door County facilities and parks director, and Burke Pinney, parks manager, join Debra Fitzgerald on the podcast to talk about what it takes to care for and maintain the many county-owned facilities – both human-made and natural – and including its 20 county parks. They also discuss what they’re doing to prepare for the season and how increased visitation has changed and shaped the county’s facilities.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Sara Rae Lancaster to talk about the Door County Half Marathon’s return to its normal, spring time slot. Lancaster shares the story of Relena Ribbons, the 2021 woman’s 1st place finisher, and talks about running as boon to mental health. Also, Kleidon checks in with Myles Dannhausen Jr. in Peninsula State Park to see how conditions will be for the upcoming race.

Debra Fitzgerald talks with Stephen Kenny, outreach and policy associate for Transportation for America, about the money that will pour into states and counties and local communities over the next five years from the federal government, and how communities like Door County can spend it differently to promote active transportation, cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and keep people safer.

With National Travel and Tourism Week coming May 1-7, Destination Door County CEO Julie Gilbert and Communications Director Jon Jarosh join the podcast to talk about the booming state of tourism in Door County and what that means for visitors and residents. The discussion includes the organization's shift from a membership to a partnership-driven model, a new granting program to help area communities, and the continuing shift to destination management and what that means in practice.

Deb Fitzgerald joins Andrew Kleidon to talk about some exciting changes happening at the Pulse, as well as some local news of the day. This includes why Gov. Tony Evers and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole drove up from Madison on a blustery day to make an announcement about Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower.

Arts & Entertainment editor Sara Rae Lancaster is joined by singer-songwriter Amythyst Kiah in advance of her May 13 solo show at Door Community Auditorium. Describing her sound as "Southern Gothic," Kiah talks about the creative process behind her songwriting, her list of musical influences and learning to let her music take on a sound and personality of its own.

Deb Fitzgerald joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the 2022 Sustainability Issue, where transportation takes center stage. We talk public transit, bike lanes, complete streets, and the possibilities for better ways to get around in Door County.

Andy Gill, the executive director of the Ridges Sanctuary, joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about new projects at the Baileys Harbor nature preserve. Gill discusses his path to the Ridges and what it’s like to step into the lead of such a long-established organization. They also discuss what’s coming this summer with a special art installation at Horseshoe Bay Farms.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Sara Rae Lancaster to breakdown the upcoming Easter Egg Hunts across the county, as well as discuss some tips on making all natural, vibrant, and unique egg dyes. Also how to incorporate massage into a healthy lifestyle, and some new ways to utilize your holiday leftovers to make new recipes, including using hard boiled eggs to make cookie dough.

Andrew Kleidon and Sara Rae Lancaster share stories and tips from the 2022 Door Wedding magazine, including how to plan the perfect, hyper-local wedding, tips for the groom on packing a destination wardrobe, and more. Also, a look at the Sawyer family, and their 5 generations of Door County weddings.

This week on the podcast, we discuss new zoning rules to nudge affordable housing forward, what students learned from the Youth in Government program – and what those in government can learn from those students – and what Tuesday’s local election results tell us.

Andrew Kleidon and Sara Rae Lancaster are gearing up for spring (as soon as the snow finally melts) with a few tips on making the most of your early summer prep, including preparing a kitchen garden, and cross training and supplemental training (especially for those getting ready for the Door County Half Marathon, May 7.) After the break Sara breaks down her favorite small and easy ways to better yourself this year, starting with reducing added sugar intake.

Local school, county, and municipal board elections are coming up Tuesday. Plus, Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon recap last week’s roundtable discussion on childcare, housing, and workforce development that included representatives from Gov. Tony Evers’ office, local housing advocates, business owners, and childcare leaders.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. recap the Gibraltar basketball team's historic run at the state championship last week, and break down what happened at the Egg Harbor campground when seasonal campers received notice that rates were increasing 71%, and they had three weeks to remove their campers if they couldn't pay.

Andrew Kleidon and Sara Rae Lancaster get together for a pre-Spring check-in. What restaurants are open, where's the live music, and what are we looking forward to as the snow melts. Also, a look at several bicycling topics, from getting your bike tuned up before your first ride of the season, to a mountain biking club forming at Peninsula State Park, and a look at Cycling Without Age, a group dedicated to providing bike rides to the elderly and those with mobility challenges and disabilities.

Kurt Kiefer is the former Assistant State Superintendent of Libraries and Technology and when he and his wife retired to Baileys Harbor last year, he didn’t waste any time helping the town get ready for bringing high-speed, dependable, low-cost broadband to every home and business. Kiefer sits down with Pulse Editor Debra Fitzgerald, to outline the 1-2-3’s that Baileys Harbor is following and that other municipalities can use to get set for broadband in their towns.

For 32 year Greg Diltz has been the local expert on cell service in northern Door County. Greg has announced his retirement and is selling Northern Door Communications, but not before joining Myles Dannhausen Jr. for a look back at the evolution of communication in the county, changes in emergency services, and finding your way into business in a small town you didn’t expect to call home.

It was a wrap for the Wisconsin Assembly last week and Peninsula Pulse Editor Debra Fitzgerald sits down with Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) to talk about session highlights, local impacts and Kitchens' plan to run for reelection in November.