Prairies are not native to Door County, but they do occur in Wisconsin so about a dozen years ago, students from the School District of Sturgeon Bay planted prairie grasses and flowers about halfway between the Collins Learning Center and the Astronomy Campus.

In July, the prairie is bright with yellow and lavender flowers, but on a foggy morning, the most beautiful part of the prairie is the amazing display of spider webs, glistening with jewel-like droplets of moisture. .

While not all spiders spin webs, those that do use webs to catch food, predominantly flying insects. We know for sure that insect eyes do not work like ours—and we are relatively sure that webs are virtually invisible to insects. So insects fly into the spider webs and get stuck.

They get stuck because most of the silk strands are sticky. Occasionally, insects struggle and break out of the web  (leaving a big hole)  but that’s unlikely. The silk is elastic, so it stretches rather than breaks.

But after a few days, a web gets worn out. After being crashed into and pulled, the strands lose their elasticity, sort of like the waistband of old sweat pants.

And the sticky stuff? Rain and morning dew wash it off the web. When the weather is dry, dust coats the sticky silk.  Have you ever tried to use a dirty piece of tape?

So most spiders eat their eat webs. Some species just eat the sticky spiral parts of the web and others eat the entire web, digest the silk, and then use the recycled silk  proteins to spin a new web.

Spider silk comes out of organs called spinnerets made up of  hundreds of little tubes/spigots which contain  liquid protein. Spinnerets act rather like fingers to pull the liquid out of the spigots, and then, stretch or squeeze the protein molecules in long incredibly strong strands.

Eat the web, digest the protein, and use it again.  What could be more “green” that to take something old or worn and make it useful?

Treasure hunter and antique buffs know the value of a Rummage Sale.  Worn and used items often can be used again. And that’s why the Door County Historical Society will hold a Vintage/Antique Treasure Sale at Crossroads on Thursday,  July 29, 1:00-5:00 and on Friday, July 30, 9:00-1:00. Some of the antiques really are  treasures… just not right for The Historical Village. Other items are duplicates of antiques already on display. And some stuff is junk–but who knows? one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Funds from the sale will help  buy more artifacts for the  historical buildings.

Sunday, the special event at the The Historical Village will be a Spinning Demonstration featuring not spiders, but rather Paddi Elliot who has been been spinning yarn from raw wool for sixteen years.  She got interested when she and her husband were Civil War re-enactors.  She will demonstrate and talk about how people of the past created the clothing they needed by showing the process from raw wool to finished product. Paddi  will share her love for the simple life of the past,  using a replica of an Ashford spinning wheel from the 1860s.

Our science program this week is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2, at 7:00. The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will hold their August meeting at the Stonecipher Astronomy Center. Professor Ray Stonecipher will be the featured speaker, offering a presentation called “Cosmic Distances Part 2.” Visitors are encouraged and refreshments will be served. Please use the Utah Street Entrance to reach the Astronomy Campus.

Our summer educator offers  family programs Monday through Thursday at 11:00 and she will be happy to give tours of the wildlife exhibits and Historical Village between 1:30-3:30 daily. She will also be happy to show and hopefully, sell rain barrels.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor- supported learning preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment.  The Collins Learning Center, open daily 1:30-3:30,  located at 2041 Michigan Street (County Highway TT) in Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, July 28, 11:00
Family Program: “Warren House”

Visit a log home built in the 1870s. Explore a “keeping room,” a parlor, and a summer kitchen. About an hour. Meet at the Warren House in The Historical Village. Free.

Thursday, July 29, 11:00
Family Program: “Butterflies”

Hike to find the butterflies of summer and search for their eggs and caterpillars on the plants they eat. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Free.

1:00-5:00
Vintage/Antique Treasure Sale

The Door County Historical Society is sponsoring this sale to benefit The Histoircal Village artifacts fund.  You just might find that item you have been looking for! Admission free.

Friday, July 30, 9:00-1:00
Vintage/Antique Treasure Sale

The Door County Historical Society is sponsoring this sale to benefit the village artifacts fund.  You just might find that item you have been looking for!. Admission free.

Sunday, August 1, 1:30-3:30
Village Tours and Spinning Demonstration

Paddi  Elliot has been spinning yarn from raw wool  for 16 years.  She got interested in spinning when she and her husband were Civil War re-enactors.  During her demonstration, she will describe how people of the past created the clothing they needed by showing the process from raw wool to finished product. She will share her love for the simple life of the past.  This program and village tours are  free.

Monday, August 2, 11:00
Family Program: “A School Day in 1900″

Enjoy lessons in a country crossroads school where reading, writing, and arithmetic, history and science were taught in one room. Free. Meet in the Vigness School in the Historical Village.

6:30
Meeting of the Friends of Crossroads

Friends of Crossroads will meet to begin planning for summer and fall programs and projects. New members are encouraged. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

Tuesday, August 3, 11:00
Family Program: ”Great Lakes Fish”

Thnk you know all the fish that live in Lake Michigan? Discover them at our Great Lakes Ecosystem Exhibit and learn much more.  Free. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

7:00
DPAS Meeting/Lecture: “Cosmic Distances, Part 2″

Professor Ray Stonecipher will be the featured speaker, offering a presentation called  “Cosmic Distances Part 2.”  Visitors are encouraged and refreshments will be served. Please use the Utah Street Entrance to reach the Astronomy Campus.

The Door County Historical Society has deemed this week a Cherry Sundae event. But could that be historically accurate? Well, ice cream was first created in England for the court of Charles I around 1600. Here in the United States, our founding fathers served  ice cream at special occasions… very special occassions.

Making ice cream was pretty labor intensive until the hand-crank ice cream maker was invented by Nancy Johnson in 1843. By the turn of the last century (which is the depiction period of The Historical Village) people in Door County would have had access to ice cream.

But, could they have eaten sundaes in 1900? Absolutely. While bogus claims to the first sundae abound, the Wisconsin Historical Society has verified that the first ice cream sundae was invented in Ed Berners‘ soda fountain in nearby Two Rivers, Wisconsin in 1881.

As the story is told , a tourist (from Illinois) wasn’t particularly interested in purchasing a chocolate soda, but he suggested the Berner pour chocolate syrup directly on ice cream. While Berners was not impressed with the concept, he was accommodating and the sundae was born. He sold the sundaes on Sundays for a nickel.

As the legend goes, a little girl came into the soda fountain on a weekday and asked for a sundae. When told that sundaes were only available on Sundays, she reportedly asked, “Couldn’t we just pretend it is a Sunday?”  And Berner started selling the ice cream treats every day.

How the spelling got changed to sundae is open to debate. One story, which appears in many sources, credits the saleman who sold the special dishes for the delicacy. More likely–religion was important in those days– the change was made out of respect to the Sabbath.

Certainly, by 1900, sundaes had come to Door County, but the original sundaes were chocolate. In Door County, certainly cherry sundaes were popular. Or not.

A.L. Hatch & Professor E.S. Goff began planting cherry trees in Door county in 1896. Would those trees have born fruit in four years? Hummm. But  as soon as cherries were harvested  in Door County, folks figured undoubtedly figured out that they tasted really good with ice cream.

So will the Door County Historical Society Cherry Ice Cream Social be historically accurate? Not entirely. It is a fundraiser. Odds are that the cost of a sundae will be greater than the original five cents.

Speaking of historically accuracy, from time to time, people donate antiques to the Historical Village which are either innappropriate for our depiction period . And sometime we acquire duplicates for items we already have. So each summer, the historical society  holds a  Vintage/Antique and Treasure Sale!  Mark your calendars for  Thursday, July 29,1:00-5:00 or  Friday July 30th 9:00-1:00. You just might find that treasure  you have been looking for!

Educational programs for learners of all ages focusing on  history and nature will be offered at 11:00, Monday through Thursday. From 1:30-3:30, both the Historical Village and the Wildlife Exhibits in the Collins Learning Center will be open. You can also buy a rainbarrel during our business hours.Check our website www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org and click on the rainbarrel icon for more information.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported educational  preserve, welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center and The Historical Village are located at 2041 Michigan Street (County TT in Sturgeon Bay.) Trails are open to the public. Pets (on leash and under control) are permitted.

Thursdday, July 22, 11:00
Family Program: “Mammals”

Explore the Wisconsin Wildlife Exhibit at in the Collins Learning Center and learn about the animals of Door County. Free.

Sunday, July 25, 1:30 – 3:30
Cherry Ice Cream Social and Village Tours

Help support the Door County Historical Society by purchasing a cherry sundae while you enjoy free tours of the buildings. Tours are free.

Monday,July 26, 1:00
Family Program:  “A School Day in 1900”

Enjoy lessons in a country  crossroads school where reading, writing and  arithmetic, history, science and music were taught in one room. About an hour.  Meet at the Vignes School in The Historical  Village at The Crossroads. Free.

Tuesday, July 27
Family Program: “Insects”

Explore the meadows for the amazing  insects of summer. Free. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

Wednesday, July 28, 11:00
Family Program:  ”Warren House”

Visit a log home built in the 1870s.  Explore a “keeping room”, a parlor, and a summer kitchen.  About an hour. Meet at the Warren House in The Historical Village at The  Crossroads. Free.

Thursday, July 29 1:00-5:00
Friday, July 30, 9:00-1:00
Vintage/Antique and Treasure Sale

The Door County Historical Society is sponsoring this sale to benefit the village artifacts fund.  You just might find that item you have been looking for! We hope you’ll visit us for the sale and at other times, too!  History. Admission free.

Small alien trees called  Buckthorns were brought from Europe to Wisconsin in the 1880s… a time when Door County was being settled by European immigrants. It seems to me that European settlers should be considered invasive aliens since they outcompeted the native people and altered the environment extensively.

Buckthorns were imported for use as ornamental shrubs, ideal for creating dense hedges. For this purpose, they indeed are ideal. Buckthorns grow rapidly, creating natural fencing and hedgerows which are impentrable. The trees have shiny green leaves and pretty fruit which attracts birds in late summer and fall.

Over the years, birds have eaten the fruit (whole) and consequently, have spread the plants throughout much of the Midwest. And for many years, most people failed to notice. Only when these fast growing trees started dominating native forests did we become alarmed.

Many  property owners  in Door County have become aware of invasive plant species, and most agree that benign neglect or “letting nature take its course” is no longer a viable land management option. Unfortunately, the invasive species problem is just too big for most individuals to handle alone.

On Thursday, July 15, at 1:15 , the Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) and The Ridges Sanctuary will hold a “Contractor Meet and Greet” in the lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center at Crossroads. This meeting will give landowners the opportunity to learn about local businesses able to provide noxious weed control.

Marne Kaeske, Stewardship Coordinator at The Ridges suggests, “Put faces to the names of certified contractors available for aquatic and terrestrial invasive species removal.”

The meeting also will  include a brief undate on ongoing projects, including a presentation on permitting regulations and procedures. Snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Marne at 920.839.2801 or marne@ridgessanctuary.org

Every Sunday afternoon, Door County Historical Society hosts a special event  at the Historical Village at The Crossroads.  This Sunday, from 1:30 – 3:30 pm the guest performers will be Global Accord, an orchestra made up of local musicians who play folk music from around the world on traditional instruments. Visitors will enjoy the lively and varied music as they tour the buildings. The concert and tours are free.

During summer, Family Programs are offered at 11 am, Monday – Thursday by our summer educator, Joan Wilkie. Activities are appropriate for all ages (you don’t have to bring a family)  and are free.

Visitors  always are welcome to visit Crossroads. The trails are always open and during the summer months, the Collins Learning Center and Wildlife Exhibits are open 1:30-3:30. The Collins Learning Center and The Historical Village at The Crossroads are located at 2041 Michigan (County TT) in Sturgeon Bay.

Wednday, July 14, 11 am
Family Program: “Country Store and Garden”

Visit the Green General Store to learn of the storekeeper and his wife. What’s for sale in 1900? And what’s growing in the garden? Free. Meet  at the Greene General Store in The Historical Village.

Thursday July  15, 1:15 pm
DCIST   Contractor Meet and Greet

The Door County Invasive Species Team and The Ridges Sanctuary will host a gathering which will give landowners the opportunity to learn about what local businesses can provide for noxious weed control. Free. Meet in the lecture hall of the Collins Learning  Center.

Sunday, July 18, 1:30-3:30 pm
Concert by Global Accord  and Tours of The Historical Village

Global Accord, a local orchestra  specializing in folk music from around the world , will celebrate the cultural heritage of Door County. Costumed members of the Door County Historical Society will be on hand to show you the buildings. Free.

Monday, July 19, 11 am
“A School Day in 1900”

Enjoy lessons in a country  crossroads school where reading, writing and arithmetic, history, science and music were taught in one room. About an hour.  Meet at the Vignes School in The Historical   Village at The Crossroads. Free

Tuesday, July 20, 11 am
“Family Program:  “Great Lakes Fish”

Think you know all the fish that live in Lake Michigan, right at our shores?   Discover them and learn much more. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Free.

Wednesday, July 21, 11 am
Family Program: “The 1900 Chapel”

Visit the Chapel  and hear hymns on    the pump organ and stories of the  pioneer churches of Door County. Meet in The Chapel in The Historical Village. Free.

“If it’s not one thing, it’s two!” sing the lumberjacks… and that pretty much sums up the forest threat du jour from Beech Bark Disease .

On Friday, June 9 at 6 pm, representatives from the Wisconsin DNR invite the community to an informational program on “Beech Bark Disease”, which has been found in several areas of Door County. This often fatal tree disease has not one, but two causes. Beech Bark Disease is initiated by a tiny wingless insect called Beech Bark Scale. Yes, it is an invasive species. The trouble begins when the females infest a beech tree. I blame the female scale insects because there are no males. These scale insects reproduce parthenogenically… no males or mating required.

The beech scales lay eggs which hatch into tiny, wingless larvae. These larvae have legs which enable them to crawl to likely places on a beech tree. Some larvae may also be carried by birds, or more likely, blown by the wind from tree to tree. Because in the East the disease is usually found in and around campgrounds,  researchers believe that some of the insects are probably transported by moving firewood.

The larvae insert their sucking mouthparts into the tree bark and feed on the sap. At this point, the scale insects molt, lose their legs (which means from then on, they are immobile), and begin exuding a wax which looks rather like wool.  The wax-covered insects overwinter and in spring, molt into their adult form. Because all of the adults are all female, they all lay eggs. Populations increase exponentially.

In heavily infested trees, the tree trunks seem to be covered with white wool. This would not be a big deal except that the tiny wounds made by the scale insects allow fungal spores to enter the beech bark. If the scale insects and one of several species of fungi are in the same area, we’ve got trouble.  The fungus can weaken and even kill mature beech trees. Frequently, the top parts of infected beech trees break off during windstorms.

During the informational meeting Friday night, DNR foresters will present slides showing infected trees, answer questions about identification and discuss management options regarding this disease.

In Door County, the logging era was petering out by 1900, which is the depiction year of The Historical Village at The Crossroads, but even though lumberjacks no longer visited blacksmith shops, blacksmiths were still in great demand.

On Sunday, July 11 from 1:30 – 3:30, in addition to offering free tours of The Historical Village, the Door County Historical Society will open the Blacksmith Shop. Several volunteer blacksmiths will be demonstrating their skills and fashioning useful items at the forge. Visitors are encouraged to watch the process and if they’d like, buy the very items they see being made.

During July, both the Historical Village and the Collins Learning Center will be open to the public from 1:30 – 3:30 Sunday through Thursday. Our summer educator also will offer family programs focusing on history or nature Monday – Thursday at 11 am.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported learning preserve welcoming learners of all ages for experience based activities in science, history and the environment. Trails are open to the public. The Historical Villlage and Collins Learning Center are located at 2041 Michigan Street in Sturgeon Bay. The Astronomy Campus is reached by the Utah Street Entrance. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org

Tuesday, July 6, 11:00
Family Program:Great Lakes Fish
Think you know all the fish that live in Lake Michigan, right at our shores? Discover them and learn much more. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Free  

7:00
Lecture: “Cosmic Distances”
Visitors are always welcome at the monthly meetings of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society. After a short meeting, Dr. Ray Stonecipher will present the feature lecture: “Cosmic Distances, part 1.” in the Stonecipher Astronomy Center. Free. Please use the Utah Street Entrance to reach the Astronomy Campus.

Wednesday, July 7, 11:00
Family Program: “Warren House”
Visit a log home built in the 1970s. Explore a “keeping room”, a parlor, and a summer kitchen.  About an hour. Meet at the Warren House in The Historical Village at The Crossroads. Free.

Thursday, July 8, 11:00
Family Program: Birds and Wildflowers
Join the summer educator to look and listen for summer birds and discover what is blooming in the meadow. Free. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.  

Friday, July 9, 6:00
Public Information Meeting: Beech Bark Disease
Representatives of the Wisconsin DNR will present a program about this new threat to Door County Forests. Following a program about the disease, information on identfication and management will be followed by a question and answer session.  Free. Lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center.  

Sunday, July 11, 1:30-3:30 Tours of The Historical Village and Blacksmithing Demonstration In addition to offering free tours of The Historical Village, the Door County Historical Society will open the Blacksmith Shop. Several volunteer blacksmiths will be demonstrating their skill, fashioning useful items at the forge. Visitors are encouraged to watch the process, and if they’d like, buy very items they have seen being made. Free. 

Monday, July 12, 11:00
Family Program:A School Day in 1900
Enjoy lessons in a country crossroads school where reading, writing and arthmetic, history, science and music were taught in one room. Free. Meet at the Vignes School in The Historical Village at The Crossroads.

Tuesday, July 13, 11:00
Family Program: “Butterflies”
Hike to find the butterflies of summer and search for their eggs and caterpillars on the plants they love to eat. Free. Meet at the Collins Learnign Center.

Wednesday, July 14, 11:00
Family Program: “Country Store and Garden”
Visit the Green General Store to learn of the storekeeper and his wife. What’s for sale in 1900? And what’s growing in the garden? Free Meet at the Green General Store in The Historical Village at The Crossroads.

Thursday July 15, 1:15
DCIST Contractor Meet and Greet
The Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) will host various contractors at the July meeting to give landowners the opportunity to learn about what local businesses can provide for noxious weed control. Put faces to the names of certified contractors available for aquatic and terrestrial invasive species removal.  Snacks are provided! Free. Meet in the lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center.

Joe Knaapen in Civil War attire

Every Sunday afternoon, the Door County Historical Society hosts a special event at The Historical Village at the Crossroads in an effort “to make history come alive.” What could be better on the 4th of July than  to have a “ visit”  from a historical Door County civic leader on Sunday afternoon between 1:30 and 3:30.

According to Historical Village Coordinator Joe Knaapen, who will assume the role of the Congressman,  “Minor was born in New York in 1840, but moved with his family to Wisconsin in the 1850s. The Minors made their way to Fish Creek, where they engaged in the merchantile business.”

Knappen explains, “Minor was 19 when the Civil War broke out, and he walked to Fond du Lac to sign up with the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry, a volunteer regiment that saw plenty of action keeping the Confederacy from spreading beyond Missouri and Arkansas into the West.

“Minor’s military background – he started out as a private and was promoted to lieutenant before mustering out under Gen. George A. Custer in 1865 – helped him build a successful career in the hardware business and as superintendent of the Sturgeon Bay-Lake Michigan Ship Canal.”

“He represented Door County in the Wisconsin Assembly and State Senate before winning his first election to Congress in 1894. A contemporary of President Theodore Roosevelt, Minor esposed a solid Republican philosophy and was a leader in public thought and ideas.”"He played a major role in the harbors and rivers and chaired the Expenditure Committee of the Department of Interior. Minor also was elected twice as mayor of Sturgeon Bay and served as the city postmaster from 1911-1915.”

During the summer months, the Historical Village at the Crossroads and Collins Learning Center will be open 1:30-3:30 Sunday through Thursday.  (Rain barrels will be available those hours.) The Summer Educator, Joan Wilkie will be offering Family Programs Monday through Thursday during July.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor supported learning preserve offering experience based activities in science, history and the environment for learners of all ages. The Collins Learning Center and The Historical Village at The Crossroads are located at 2041 Michigan in Sturgeon Bay.

Sunday, July 4, 1;30-3:30 Historical Presentation at The Historical Village

Congressman Edward S. Minor (as portrayed by Joe Knaapen) will talk about “current events” such as Congress during the Teddy Roosevelt era and about building the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. Costumed members of the Historical Society will be on hand to give tours of the buildings. Free.

Monday, July 5, 11:00 Family Program: A School Day in 1900

Enjoy lessons in a country crossroads school where reading, writing and arithmetic, history, science and music were taught in one room. About an hour.  Meet at the Vignes School in The Historical Village at The Crossroads. Free

Tuesday, July 6, 11:00  Family Program:Great Lakes Fish

Think you know all the fish that live in Lake Michigan, right at our shores. Discover them and learn much more. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Free

Wednesday, July 7, 11:00 Family Program: “Warren House”

Visit a log home built in the 1970s. Explore a “keeping room”, a parlor, and a summer kitchen.  About an hour. Meet at the Warren House in The Historical Village at The Crossroads. Free.

After all, we don’t find cardna-peckers, whipporsuckers or pileated hummingbirds. Birds of different species have very different habits. For example, a woodpecker would rarely come in contact with a swan.

But clearly, birds can recognize others of their own species. “Imprinting” seems to be at least part of the reason. When the baby bird hatches, it becomes attached to the first moving thing it sees. Usually, the first thing the hatchling sees is its own parents, which are the same species.

Imprinting happens when a bird  isvery,  very young, but apparently the infant memorizes exactly how its parents look – their markings, how they hold their beaks and tails. Little birds also listen to their fathers sing. This teaches the male birds how to sing the characteristic song of its species. It teaches female birds to recognize the song of a potential mate. If a male doesn’t  sing like Daddy, she won’t be attracted.

Other curious things happens when the young birds are in the nest. Apparently, little birds don’t sleep soundly through the night. Researchers believe that when the little guys wake up, they stare at the stars and their bird brains register that groups of stars seem to be revolving around a single point…. a point we humans call the Polaris, the North Star. And this is how birds learn to tell directions.

As they mature, parent birds encourage their offspring to exercise their wings and eventually leave the nest. Raising a family of young birds is labor intensive. Though in some species, a single parent raises the young, most songbirds have both a mother and a father sharing family duties.

Human families are similar. While all sorts of families are successful, in an increasing number of families, dads are taking a more active role in childrearing. And just as baby birds learn to be adult birds by watching their parents, young children learn from role models… usually parents.

So as Father’s Day approaches, lets look at some of the family activities scheduled this week at Crossroads. Many families are hiking, walking and running at Crossroads. Some use the trails just for the joy of being in nature. Some are  training for the upcoming Runing Green for Crossroads Walk/Run which will be June 26. You’ll want to register right away if you want the inaugural organic cotton t-shirts. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org and click on the  Running Green logo for registration materials. A Run orientation/training  program will be held at 6 pm on Monday, June 21.

Want to learn the about the circumpolar stars? …the very stars which help birds sense the compass directions? The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will  hold a Night Sky Viewing at the StarGarden and Leif Everson Observatory on Friday, June 18. Telescopes will be available and DPAS members  will point out the constellations using green lasers.  If that night is cloudy, the event will take place on Saturday, June 19. The gate (on Utah Street) will open at 9:30 PM and viewing will improve as we approach 10 pm

“Family Games” will be the Father’s Day theme at The Historical Village at The Crossroads. The Village will be open from 1:30 – 3:30 and activities are free.

Those concerned about keeping their families safety will want to attend the Lecture: “More about Door County’s Groundwater Problem!” on Monday, June 21 at 7:00  Dr. Roger Kuhns will present a program on Karst geology and explain how things are going for groundwater on the peninsula. The Door County Environmental Council is presenting this program. Admission is free.

On Tuesday, June  22, 1:30-3:00 the Cross-Generational  class  called  “Critters of Big Creek” will be offered. The idea is that one adult and one youth (age 7-12) learn together.  Cross-Gen classes are free thanks to a grant from the Door County Community Foundation, but Pre-registration is required. Call 746-5895.

Crossroads is a historical and environmental preserve, welcoming learners of all ages for programs in science, history and the environment. Summer hours for the Collins Learning Center are 1:30-3:30 daily and during scheduled activities. The Historical Village at The Crossroads will be open 1:30-3:30 Sunday through Thursday. Trails are always open to the public.

Friday, June 18, 9:30 pm
Night Sky Viewing

The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society invite the public to an evening of nigh sky exploration at the StarGarden and Leif Everson Observatory . Telescopes will be available and DPAS members  will point out the constellations using green lasers.  If that night is cloudy, the event will take place on Saturday, June 19. The gate (on Utah Street) will open at 9:30 PM and viewing will improve as we approach 10:00 PM

Sunday, June 20, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Family Games

The buildings at The Historical Village at The Crossroads will be open to the public.  The special activity will be family games. Bring the family and play like they did in 1900. Free and open to the public

Monday, June 21, 7 pm
“More about Door County’s Groundwater Problem!”

Dr. Roger Kuhns will present a program on Karst geology and explain how things are going for groundwater on the peninsula. The Door County Environmental Council is presenting this program. Admission is free.

Tuesday, June 22, 1:30 – 3 pm
Cross-Generational Program: “Critters of Big Creek”

Designed for one adult and one youth to learn together, this class will include a trip to Big Creek for a capture release activity and follow-up activities in the lab.  The activity is free, but pre-registration is required.  No walk-ins. Call 746-5895, give name, name and age of the youth, and phone number.

My favorite is the Joni Mitchell classic “Big Yellow Taxi.” In case the title doesn’t ring a bell, the lyrics go “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot…” I respond to the second verse:

“They took all the trees
Put ‘em in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see ‘em.

Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
Till it’s gone…”

I hope against hope that Crossroads will not end up a Tree Museum. One of my personal goals is to instill a land ethic in our visitors so people will appreciate our own paradise here in Door County. It would be a shame if we didn’t teach our children to love “what we’ve got.”

This year, for the first time in my memory, I’m not stewing over what to get my Dad for Father’s Day. Although they didn’t take him away in a big yellow taxi, my father died in January. Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till he’s gone.

It you still have your father, grandfather, uncle, friend, appreciate what you’ve got. Tell your  men  that you care… before they are gone.

Father’s Day is June 20. If you are stewing about a gift, maybe Crossroads can help. A rain barrel ($65) would be a useful Father’s Day gift and it would actually help save our paradise by keeping storm water runoff out of our lakes and streams.

A unique gift would be to register Dad in the Running  Green for Crossroads Walk/Run. This event, scheduled for June 26 at 9 am will  help support Crossroads’ General Fund, promote cross-generational recreation, and increase the awareness of “green” living in our community. You can register Dad for $15 or the whole family for $35. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for information and registration material.

Or maybe a good gift would be an old fashioned family portrait. And I do mean old fashioned. On Sunday,  June 13, from 1:30-3:30 pm The Historical Village at The Crossroads will host a  “Photo Shoot.” Joe and Laura Knaapen will open their costume trunk. For  a $10 donation to the Door County Historical Society, Joe and Laura  will dress you and your family (or a group of friends,) in vintage costumes.

“We’ll take your picture, and while you explore the Village, we will print an eight and a half by eleven portrait for you to take with you,” says Joe. (Extra copies will be $3 each)

The gift of time is the best gift you can give a loved one. And that is the purpose of the Crossroads Cross-Generational Program. The idea is that one youth and one adult share an educational experience together.  On Saturday,  June 12, at  2:30 The Cross-Gen class will “Focus on Fossils.”

On Flag Day, June 14, 10:00-11:30 the Cross-Gen Class is called  “Flags…and Other Wildlife Warnings” Cross-Gen classes are free thanks to a grant from the Door County Community Foundation, but Prue-registration is required. Call 746-5895.

Flag Day afternoon, as a part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program – “Make a Splash – Read!”, Crossroads will host young readers (and their families) on a guided  Wetland Walk beginning at 1:30. Because we may indeed make a splash, participants should wear shoes and clothes that can get wet.

Crossroads is a historical and environmental preserve, welcoming learners of all ages for programs in science, history and the environment. Summer hours for the Collins Learning Center are 1:30-3:30 daily and during scheduled activities. The Historical Village at The Crossroads will be open 1:30-3:30 Sunday through Thursday. Trails are always open to the public.

Saturday, June 12, 2:30-4:00
Cross-Generational Program: Focus on Fossils

Designed for one adult and one youth to learn together, this class will include hands-on activities to help learners understand the fossils of this area. The activity is free, but pre-registration is required.  No walk-ins. Call 746-5895, give name, name and age of the youth, and phone number.

Sunday, June 13, 1:30-3:30
History Event: Photo Shoot

The buildings at The Historical Village at The Crossroads will be open to the public. Joe and Laura Knaapen will be on hand with their costume chest. For a $10 donation to the Door County Historical Society, we will dress your family is historical costumes, take your portrait, and after you have explored The Village, present you will a “vintage”portrait. Extra copies $3.

Monday, June 14, 10:00-11:30
Cross-Generational Program: “Flags and Other Wildlife Warnings” Designed for one adult and one youth to learn together, this class will include hands-on activities to help learners understand the flagging behavior of white-tail deer and to recognize other wildlife warnings.  The activity is free, but pre-registration is required.  No walk-ins. Call 746-5895, give name, name and age of the youth, and phone number.  

1:30
Library Summer Program:  Wetland Walk
Part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program – “Make a Splash – Read!”, Crossroads will host young readers (and their families) on a guided “Wetland Walk.” Because we may indeed make a splash, participants should wear shoes and clothes that can get wet. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. 

Each year, a group of students, carefully selected as having both strong backgrounds in microbiology and good people skills, are assigned to study Door County beaches. The team visits each public beach in Door County to collect water samples. They return their many little bottles to the lab, where they seal the water in plastic “bubbles” and incubate the samples.

Once the microbes have reproduced under specific conditions, the researchers carry out tests using chemicals and an ultraviolet light. If  the samples fail to meet federal standards, the students post the beaches, putting up signs which warn the public of potential health hazards..

When this program was first started, some thought that the testing and posting of the beaches would discourage swimming and impact tourism. As it turned out, almost everyone has been grateful for the testing and the confidence it inspires. And it doesn’t hurt that Door County beaches seem to be among the cleanest in the Great Lakes region.

This year, the beaches at Ellison Bay, Egg Harbor and Sunset Park (in Sturgeon Bay)  have been rehabilitated. The researchers will do intense studies of these three beaches, particularly studying the bacteria counts following rain events, to determine if these remediation efforts have improved the water quality at these beaches.

The researchers from UW-Oshkosh also are involved in a project under the auspices of the United States Geological Survey in which they will be comparing a near pristine, seldom- used beach in Clay Banks to those in heavily populated areas such as Milwaukee and Racine.

School children who visit Crossroads and meet the researchers always ask, “What are you going to find out?” We explain that this is not like the science experiments which have answers and explanations at the book. The UW-Oshkosh  students are searching for answers yet unknown. And we are delighted to host this quest for knowledge at Crossroads.

This Sunday is Graduation Day, and we wish to congratulate all of the Door County graduates who have visited Crossroads throughout their academic careers. A special thank to Tom Thornton, who, for two year, has been our “high school service worker” here at Crossroads. Thanks Tom and good luck.

The Historical Village at the Crossroads will be open  from 1:30-3:30 every Sunday afternoon during the summer and fall  This week, the special program will be “The History of Penny Candy.” Free admission, free samples… and visitors will be able to see the interiors of the village buildings.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor supported educational preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. Summer hours for the Collins Learning Center are 1:30-3:30 and during  scheduled events. For more information, visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org

Tuesday, June 1, 7:00
Lecture: ”Stardust”

The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society holds in June general meeting, which includes a very short meeting, a quiz and Dr. John Beck will present an illustrated lecture on “Stardust.” Visitors are encouraged. Meet a the Stonecipher Astronomy Center. Please use the Utah Street Entrance.

Saturday, June 5:
Family Program: Insects in Big Creek

Thanks to a grant from the Lakeshore Natural Resource partnership,  we have enough aquatic nets for kids of all ages and sizes to explore the amazing world under, in and on the surface of Big Creek. Free. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

Sunday, June 6, 1:30-3:30
Sunday at the Historical Village at The Crossroads

Costumed members of the Door County Historical Society will help visitors explore the Village. At 2:00  and 3:00, a short program on the history of Penny Candy will be presented in the Greene General Store.

Now, we have a new porch at Crossroads at Big Creek. It is attached to the most recently acquired (we can’t really say “new”) log cabin in the Historical Village at Crossroads.

Beginning May 30, free special events of the historical period  will be offered every Sunday from 1:30 – 3:30 pm throughout the summer and fall. And the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, we “Celebrate Porches.”

We are celebrating our new porch on the Schopf House, but we also are interpreting Door County history. Around the turn of the last century, people  would have celebrated Memorial Day. While its origins are murky, apparently the holiday started in 1868 (or perhaps before.) Called  Decoration  Day, it began as a day set aside to decorate the graves of Civil War dead. The holiday weekend  became the traditional beginning of summer.

At the turn of the last century, long before the advent of air-conditioning,  summer meant moving out of the confines of the house. Rather than heat up an already sweltering house with a cook stove, many homemakers moved their food preparation and canning efforts to a summer kitchen, either attached to or near the home.

Lucky families also  might  have a porch and what a wonderful place that was. Much cooler than inside, the porch was a fine place to churn butter, snap beans or do the mending. On rainy days, children could gather on the porch to play marbles, cat’s cradle, Jacob’s ladder or perhaps curl up with a good book or cut paper dolls. And in the evenings, the adults could gather on the porch to tell stories, visit with neighbors and watch the children catch fireflies or play kick the can.

The porch of a general store was an important place in the community. In some Door County villages, the general store was the waiting room for the stage or cruise ships which brought tourists to the county. Almost every general store was also a communication center. Locals would gather to discuss the local news, debate politics and just plain gossip… and oh yes, pick up a few supplies.

During “Celebrate Porches” costumed members of the Door County Historical Society will be stationed at the porches of the village buildings. Our historical roof specialist, Steve Reed, will be on hand to demonstrate how cedar shingles are installed. The whole family will enjoy stepping back into the past on this season opening of The Historical Village.

During the holiday weekend, the Collins Learning Center will be closed to the public on Friday and Saturday as Crossroads participates in the Door County Festival of Nature. Several programs (including a marvelous family program with UW-Green Bay’s spider expert, Mike Draney) will be held at Crossroads.

As a part of the Festival of Nature, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will open the Leif Everson Observatory for an evening of Night Sky Viewing on Saturday,  May 28, at 9 pm. The public is welcome to this free activity, whether or not enrolled in the Festival.

On June 1, the astronomical society will hold their June meeting at the Ray and Ruthie Stonecipher Astronomy Center. Dr. John Beck will present the program “Stardust”. It’s free, includes refreshments and is open to the public. Please use the Utah Street Crossroads to reach the Astronomy Campus.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a learning preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. Trails are open to the public, pets (on leash and under control) are permitted. The Collins Learning Center is open daily 2:00-5:00, but the facilities will be reserved for the Door County Festival of Nature on May 28 and 29. For information, call 920.746.5895.

Saturday, May 28, 9:00
Night Sky Viewing at the Leif Everson Observatory

Members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society invite the community to a viewing experience in the StarGarden.  DPAS members will be on hand to help you explore the night sky. Free. This program will NOT be held if skies are cloudy.

Sunday, May 30, 1:30-3:30
Historical Village at The Crossroads: “Celebrate Porches”

The Door County Historical Society opens the season of Sunday afternoon events with program celebrating porches, starting with our new porch on the Schopf House.. Costumed members of the Historical Society will give porch programs and guest presenter Steve Reed will present demonstrations with shingles. Great for the family.Free.

Tuesday, June 1, 7:00
Lecture: “StarDust”

The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will hold their June meeting at the Ray and Ruthie Stonecipher Astronomy Center. Dr. John Beck will present the program “Stardust” Refreshments. Free and open to the public. Please use the Utah Street Crossroads to reach the Astronomy Campus.

Now we turn our attention to a fish which may or may not have already invaded Lake Michigan —Asian Carp. Many folks have seen the video clip of Asian Carp in the Mississippi  River.

Fish leap out of the water and careen into the anglers in a motorboat. You can’t help laughing. But Asian Carp are not a laughing matter. They are rapacious feeders and we simply do not know what could happen, should the Asian Carp get into Lake Michigan . The media has reported that carp DNA was found near the O’Brian Lock near Calumet Harbor (in the Chicago area.)

On Wednesday, May 19, at 7:00 PM, the Door County Environmental Council will bring  Phil Moy, PhD, of the UW Seagrant Institute to the Collins Learning Center present the lecture: “Great Lakes Asian Carp Threat.” Dr. Moy will provide a timely update of information, concerns, and research results.  The presentation is free and open to the public.

During the next two weekends, the Collins Learning Center will be closed to the public. Thursday, the Nursing Program from NWTC will hold their Pinning Ceremony at Crossroads.

This weekend, Crossroads at Big Creek will host the 71^st Annual Convention of the Wisconsin Society of Ornithology. This is the premiere birding organization in the state and we are thrilled that our learning center is the venue for their  educational programs.

Crossroads is also a proud partner (with The Ridges Sanctuary, The Land Trust, The Clearing, The Nature Conservancy, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) to present  the  Door County Festival of Nature. Several of the field trips, programs, and the  Night Sky Viewing Experience will be offered at Crossroads,  but field trips will celebrate the “Year of the Escarpment” throughout the full length of the peninsula. Catalogs for the Festival are available at Crossroads or you can register electronically at www.RidgesSanctuary.org/festival.aspx

Crossroad at Big Creek is a learning preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center is open daily 2:00-5:00,  but will be closed to the public during the Thursday-Saturday this coming week.

Wednesday, May 19, 7:00 PM
“Great Lakes Asian Carp Threat”

Phil Moy, PhD, of the UW Seagrant Institute  will provide a timely update of information, concerns, and research results concerning this potentially invasive fish species.   The presentation is free and open to the public. Lecture Hall of the Collins Learning Center.

Sunday, May 23, 1:00
Nature Hike

Join the naturalist in a leisurely visit to Big Creek and the surrounding forest. Free and open to the public. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.