This Fall’s Chalkboard Specials at the Cookery’s Wine Bar
If you’re looking for a relaxing night out visit the Cookery’s Wine Bar this fall for one of their daily chalkboard specials.
Come on a Sunday to unwind and enjoy a bottle of wine for $5 off! Mondays are buy one get one half off night on appetizers. Stop in and order a Smoked Whitefish Spread or try their Wisconsin Cheese Plate both are offered on their selection of appetizers and are made with locally sourced ingredients. Take time on a Tuesday evening to try the Wine Bar’s beef sliders, two for $5. The certified organic beef comes in from Waseda Farms , located in Baileys Harbor! Wednesdays are flatbread night. Get $1 off any flatbread all made with a Washington Island wheat crust. Stop by for a Wisconsin brewed craft beer on a Thursday and order a Waseda Farms beef cheeseburger for only $10. Stop in to listen to live music all through October on a Friday night and try the Wine bar’s featured fish fry. The fresh perch comes directly from the Great Lakes and is only $17.95. They also offer a wine flight any day of the week. Three different varietals are chosen daily for $8.
The Cookery’s Wine Bar is located on Highway 42 right in the center of downtown Fish Creek. The Wine Bar opens at 3pm and closes at 8:30pm Sunday through Thursday. Open late until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is from 3pm until 6pm. For a sample of their periodically changing menu visit doorcountychefs.com.
Fall Has Come to Door County
The Fall Season in Door County is a spectacular sight to behold. Whether it on a quiet country road with the sun setting over the tops of corn field or a tree line bursting with color as the sun light strikes it, every scene is like a painting. The leaves are beginning to show splatters of reds and oranges amid the greenery as we ease our way through September. Evenings are pleasantly cool while the early morning sometimes reveals a wispy fog in the fields. Geese vacationing on our beaches during the day fly overhead to the nearby cornfields at dusk. Make sure you check out A Leaf Watcher’s Guide to Door County for all the best places to see the fall color changes!
The last of the cherries have been picked and the apple harvest is just around the corner. Everything’s changing but the most apparent change is in the volume of people mid week. There are no more Monday morning traffic jams in downtown Sister Bay or a corps of waitresses in Al Johnson’s rushing to keep everyone’s coffee cups full. Imagine walking into your favorite restaurant and not having to wait for an hour to get fish fry.The fall migration has begun, not the migrating birds but rather that of people. Families have returned home. Summer kids and locals are now in school, leaving beaches deserted. The days are getting shorter and the nights more peaceful.
So many people find the summer beauty of Door County, but the year ’round residents know that the fall is one of the best seasons to enjoy this beautiful peninsula. There is a sense of tranquility that one can’t find in the summertime. Fall brings crisp nights sitting at the fireside with a cup of apple cider, a slice of homemade apple pie, hiking through a forest filled with trees in a blaze of color, or getting ready for the winter ahead.
Fall seems to be the time of many festivals. The Inside/Outside Sale in Fish Creek takes place September 22-25. October has Pumpkin Patch in Egg Harbor, Fall Fun Fest and Cider Pressing Party on Washington Island, Townline Art Fair in Ephraim, Fall Festival in Sister Bay and Jack O’Lantern Days in Fish Creek. For a full list of events, check out the Festival & Events Calendar.
Royals, Rogues and Exotic Belly Dancers at the English Inn Royal Feast Buffet Wednesday, June 29
On Wednesday, June 29 from 5 – 8 pm you are invited to wine, dance and dine with the Renaissance Fantasy Faire’s full Royal Court and its entertainers at The English Inn in Fish Creek.
The 2nd Annual Royal Feast Buffet dining extravaganza will take place featuring not only the King and Queen in full regalia, but the entire Royal Court and a crescendo performance by the Kaheena Belly Dancers. The chefs will provide a festive array of chicken and ribs with a variety of other specialties and desserts in an unlimited buffet.
Cast members from the Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire will be strolling about and dining in fabulous costumes, willing to strike a pose with guests for photographs. Queen Catherine and King Edward are members of “Have Court, Will Travel!” a professional troupe of more than a dozen re-enactors that portray a fictitious court in the historical time period of the 1550s. They are in Door County to celebrate the 2nd annual Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire that takes place in the magical woodlands of Carlsville on the weekends preceding and following the Royal Buffet.
Dining is from 5 – 8 pm, and will be capped off at 8 pm with a performance by Sarisha and Jessika, members of the Kaheena Belly Dance Troupe. They arrived at the festival in a gypsy wagon filled with dancers, who are also performing over both weekends in Carlsville.
Jesika
There may also be several Knights, members of Noble Cause Productions, a company performing at the Faire that specializes in jousting, stage combat instruction, fight choreography, and horse stunts.
The dining experience is intended to provide a taste of the color and pageantry of the renaissance time period. Each court member is a fully fleshed out character who can interact and improvise with patrons of all ages. Knighting and Lady selection ceremonies, merchant visits, and royal audiences are all a part of the Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire experience. Two weekends of historical adventure, entertainment, fun and festivities with a Royal Court Dinner in between make this year’s festival a highlight for families and individuals who love the days of olde.
Tickets for the dinner and entertainment are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Children 10 and under are $15 in advance and $17.50 at the door. Please RSVP to dcrff@att.net or call 920.973.8233 for more information or to make reservations.
The Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire is open rain or shine for two weekends June 25 – 26 and July 2 – 3 from 10 am ’til 6 pm on Saturdays and from 10 am ’til 4 pm on Sundays. Making its home in a lyrical forest and meadow setting at 5226 Monument Point Road in Egg Harbor (just 1 mile north of Carlsville), with daily admission $12 for Adults (16+), $9 for children (ages 5-15) and Seniors (over 60). Children under 5 and military personnel, currently active or retired (with proper identification) are always admitted free. A $1 discount is available to all who donate a non-perishable food item for local food banks or who arrive dressed in period garb.
For more information contact the producer, Sandy Stetler (aka Lady Bliss) by phone at 920.746.6773, e-mail dcrff@att.net and visit DoorCoWIRenaissance.com, Join in the Facebook fun and conversation at facebook.com/RenaissanceFaire.
The Cookery to host weekly Spelling Bees on Mondays at 7:30pm
Back by popular demand, The Cookery in Fish Creek is hosting its weekly Spelling Bee in the fabulous wine bar. Bring your thinking caps and a group of know-it-alls and spend Monday nights showing off your smarts. 
The Spelling Bee starts at 7:30 and the top three finishers will be awarded gift certificates to the restaurant or wine bar. If you’re feeling hungry, the appetizers and small plates menu will be available as well as a selection of delectable desserts.
The Cookery is open daily serving lunch and dinner every day, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and the wine bar is also open daily at 3 p.m. The Cookery is located at 4135 Highway 42, Fish Creek. For more information about the spelling bee or The Cookery, call 920-868-3634 or visit cookeryfishcreek.com.
Red Quinoa Salad with Smoked Paprika Dressing from The Cookery in Fish Creek
Door County Chefs would like to share The Cookery’s recipe for its popular Red Quinoa Salad with Smoked Paprika Dressing. Dick and Carol Skare feature this recipe in their restaurant when they have locally raised greens, squash, beets, mint and tomatoes from Sully’s Produce of Sturgeon Bay. The vegetables in this recipe can be adjusted based upon the produce that is available and in season. The Cookery is located in downtown Fish Creek. Newly remodeled after a devastating fire, the restaurant is better than ever. The Skares pride themselves on using locally grown products and being active in the popular “Door County Buy Local” movement.
Red Quinoa Salad with Smoked Paprika Dressing
1 cup red quinoa, rinsed, drained
¼ cup packed chopped mint
¼ cup tarragon vinegar
2 ½ tsp smoked paprika
½ cup olive oil
½ cup thinly sliced patty pan squash
½ cup roasted beets, cut into wedges
¼ cup sliced green onions
½ cup halved red cherry tomatoes
½ cup halved yellow cherry tomatoes
3-4 cups mixed greens
¼ cup crumbled feta
Place quinoa in a large saucepan, add water to cover quinoa by one inch, salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Chill until cool.
To make the dressing, whisk mint, vinegar and smoked paprika in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine patty pan squash, roasted beets, green onions, and cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Add quinoa and toss to blend. Pour dressing to taste over salad, toss to coat. Place mixed greens on plates, top with vegetable/quinoa mixture, and sprinkle with feta.
Recipe serves four.
The Cookery•920–868–3634•4135 Hwy 42•Fish Creek, WI 54212
Excess Holiday Exuberance Leads to Pienancial Difficulties for Local Business Owner!
Of course there would be a huge demand for fresh-baked Sweetie Pies on Easter Weekend… Not!
Co-owner of Sweetie Pies in Fish Creek, Dave Lea, will face the consequences of his excessive optimism as he peered out the door at the sunny Easter weather this Sunday. Two rows of lovely pies sat forlorn for most of the day, hoping to see hoards of eager admirers – all in vain.
So come Monday, Lea plans to throw in the sponge and offer deep discounts on all the baked pies in the shop.
“A guy can only eat so many of his own pies in a day, even if they do taste just like grandmas!!,” he was overheard muttering to himself as he turned out the lights and locked the doors.
Sweetie Pies is part of the Settlement Shops located right next to Fish Creek’s popular Settlement Courtyard Inn – open seven days a week, 9 to 5.
English Inn Features Easter Buffet and the Chocolate Fountain
Lisa and Randy Daubner at the English Inn invite you to… “Bring your family to join our family on Easter.”
On Sunday April 24 The English Inn serves a delightful Easter Sunday Buffet from 10 am – 3 pm. The buffet includes:
- 5-tier chocolate fountain is surrounded by goodies to dip… fresh fruit, cookies, marshmallows, biscotti, etc.
- chef-carved Ham and Turkey,
- Baked French Toast,
- Stuffed Hash browns,
- Eggs Benedict,
- Quiche,
- Pancakes,
- Scrambled Eggs,
- Sausage,
- Bacon,
- Kielbasa and Sauerkraut,
- Au Gratin Potatoes,
- Pepper Steak,
- Swedish Meatballs,
- Shish kabob,
- Baked Chicken,
- Blackened Whitefish,
- Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Vegetables and a Full Salad Bar
- Full Dessert Table with assorted Desserts.
The price is $17.95 per person.
The English Inn is open on Easter weekend, Thursday – Sunday, serving dinner from 4 – 9 pm. On Easter Sunday they will feature the lavish Easter Buffet served from 10am ’til 3pm with the chocolate fountain running throughout the day until close at 9 pm. Come celebrate Easter at the English Inn.
Glas Coffeehouse Features Kelly Avenson Photography, Opening Wednesday with Live Entertainment
Kelly Avenson, a graduate in both photojournalism and portraiture, has acquired a very diverse photographic portfolio on exhibit at Glas the Green Coffeehouse opening with an artist’s reception on Wednesday, April 20 from 5 – 8pm.
Kelly will be displaying many new photographs taken during Glas Coffeehouse’s weekly Wednesday Open Mic sessions, some winter scenes in Door County and photos from her most recent trip to Maui. The Avenson Photography exhibit will be on display at Glas throughout the month of April.
Immediately after Kelly Avenson’s graduation from Hawkeye Community College in 2007, she jumped at the opportunity to use her photojournalism degree in the Dominican Republic, documenting nursing students’ relief efforts in the Jarabacoa’s emergency room. In 2009, she traveled to Jamaica to provide family portraits to the people of Hagley Gap. Both trips not only taught her a lot about photography, but proved to her that she choose the right path.
“My goal is to make a difference in peoples’ lives with photography,” she explains. “Whether it’s putting a smile on the faces of a family or giving a voice to those in need, I have one mission – to make a difference.”
After moving to Door County in 2007 for a newspaper internship, she progressed to freelancing. Her work has been seen in the Resorter Reporter, Door County Now and the Door County Advocate. In 2008, having made a name for herself in the community, Kelly decided that it was time to open the doors to her own photography studio on Jefferson Street. She is thankful for all the support and guidance provided by Marilyn Beachler (Java on Jefferson) and Irene (Anna Rose ReSale).
“I can’t thank those wonderful ladies enough for all their help and input while I got my feet on the ground with a fresh business,” says Kelly.
Greco Gallery on 3rd Avenue
Now she is moving and expanding her business to a new spot on 3rd Avenue, a studio and art gallery located between two book stores. Greco Gallery will showcase local artists working in all media from jewelry to paintings and even some concrete art!
Kelly says, “It’s been a labor of love. I’ve transformed the space into something I’m truly proud of and looking forward to opening.”
You can visit www.KellyAvenson.com to view samples of her work.
Door County Buy Local Presents Food User/Grower Mixer, Apr 27
Representatives of local agricultural producers, chefs, restaurateurs, institutional users, general consumers and all supporters of sustainable, local agriculture are invited to enjoy a mixer on Wednesday, April 27, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, at the Draft Haus (formerly The Reef) Egg Harbor Rd., in Sturgeon Bay.
The Door County Buy Local program is a grass-root economic development initiative that seeks to strengthen local businesses, increase employment opportunities and educate the public about the importance of buying locally whenever possible.
The Buy Local Agriculture sub-committee will present a 20-minute program designed to stimulate discussion of the issues facing local producers and consumers. Refreshments and appetizers will be served. A $5 donation is requested.
Attendees are asked to bring business cards and information about their farms and businesses. A set of tables will be used to display promotional literature and information about Door County Buy Local and its members.
To join Door County Buy Local or to check out the events scheduled throughout the year, go to www.DoorCountyBuyLocal.com.
Glas Coffeehouse Hosts Monthly Industry ‘Shop Talk’ for Door County Board of Realtors®
Door County Board of Realtors® Education Committee promotes continued learning among Door and Kewaunee County members.
The Door County Board of Realtors® education committee held a “Shop Talk” on “Auctions and Short Sales” on Wednesday, April 6, at Glas Coffeehouse in Sturgeon Bay. Members of the organization are committed to education and Shop Talk is an opportunity for Realtors® to meet informally once a month to discuss industry news and stay up-to-date in an ever-changing industry.
Facilitator Karen Lee De Noto of ERA Starr Realty stressed the importance of an event like this: “We are advocates of continuing education. This board has top notch REALTORS® in Door and Kewaunee counties who are always striving to give our clients what they need.”
Shop Talk is held on the first Wednesday of every month and is open to all Door and Kewaunee county REALTORS®. The next “Shop Talk” will be held on May 4. The topic will focus on “Shoreland Zoning.”
For more information on initiatives by the Door County Board of REALTORS® call 920.743.9651, or visit them online at www.dcbr.org. Door County Board of REALTORS® was established in 1962 and currently serves 232 members and affiliates with combined real estate listings of $663,228,186.
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