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Happening
at the Crossroads:
July 12,
2010
by Coggin
Heeringa
This
week at Crossroads at Big Creek, we celebrate folk music from
around the world while reviling the plants which came along with
settlers from the same foreign lands.
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.
Many of
the Past News articles may be retrieved from this
directory,
indexed and named in the following manner: 080101-news.htm
where
the first two numbers are the year, the second two the month and the
last two the date.
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