August is winding down and apple season is underway.

The air is still warm enough to be outside all day but cool enough in the evenings to want a sweatshirt. It is one of the best feelings the county offers all year.

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This week:

A few things worth knowing about this week.

The Younkers Building is getting its makeover. For nearly a decade, residents have watched the former Younkers Building in Sturgeon Bay sit empty. That changes now.

The rear portion will expand the Door County Historical Museum's archive space and the front portion will be converted to retail space for two tenants.

For anyone who has driven past wondering if it would ever come back to life, the answer is finally yes.

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A trail connecting Fish Creek and Ephraim just got a big boost. The Town of Gibraltar has been awarded a $4.74 million grant from WisDOT to help fund a multi-use trail connecting Egg Harbor to Sister Bay.

This stretch would link Fish Creek and Ephraim into a path through some of the most beautiful scenery in the county.

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Egg Harbor Marina is officially the most beautiful in the country. Travel + Leisure covered a study that ranked Egg Harbor Marina tops among all marinas in the United States.

Researchers analyzed reviews for marinas nationwide and scored each based on how often words like breathtaking, scenic, gorgeous, and stunning were used.

Anyone who has sat on that hillside overlooking the harbor is not surprised.

June 2020. The whole world had been locked down for months and we were done with it.

We found out that Door County was at least partially open, packed up the car, and drove to Sister Bay. Kelly, our sons Riley, Tyler, and me. It felt like breathing for the first time in months.

At one point Kelly and Riley decided they wanted to rent Segways and ride through Peninsula State Park. Tyler and I passed on that.

Instead we found a spot in Sister Bay, kicked a soccer ball around for a while, and then wandered over to Al Johnson's Stabbur Beer Garden and played bags.

Tyler was maybe twelve at the time, and that one-on-one time with him is something I will always remember.

Here is what longtime visitors know that first-timers often miss: September might be the best month to visit Door County.

The summer crowds thin. The colors start to turn. Restaurants have open tables. And the fall festivals are some of the most memorable events on the calendar.

Get the complete September Door County guide here.

Last week we asked whether Institute should change its name to Sevastopol. It was close, but 57% of you said no, keep the name.

The town has 150-plus years of history under that name and a majority of you feel that is worth holding onto.

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like today.

JUST SOLD: Sturgeon Bay

A one bedroom, one bath home in Sturgeon Bay sold for $260,000. It is a compact property on a quiet street within walking distance of downtown that comes with more character than most.

FOR SALE: Sturgeon Bay

This one is a different category entirely. A four bedroom, four bath home in Sturgeon Bay is listed at $1,900,000.

With 3.6 acres and a walkout lower level, the property delivers in every direction.

Sonny's Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria in Sturgeon Bay has been a ritual for us almost since the beginning. If we arrive early enough and the timing is right, we are going to Sonny's. That is just how it works.

The pizza is excellent and the waterfront views are hard to beat.

It’s one of the places we keep going back to and never question why.

I'm With Her tonight at the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek. The folk trio featuring Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan is one of the best live acoustic acts around.

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American Honey Band plays Saturday afternoon at Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery. A truly great way to spend a summer weekend.

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Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence Sunday afternoon is part of the Peninsula Music Festival. One of the most celebrated chamber works in the repertoire, performed at the Door Community Auditorium.

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Evenings in Ephraim Bondemarked, which is Norwegian for “farmers market.” Enjoy goods from local vendors on the north end of Ephraim.

Tuesday arrives at a comfortable at 74 degrees with low rain chances. A genuinely nice late August day to be outside. Wednesday brings a chance of rain and a high of 77. Thursday clears back out to around 72 with rain chances dropping significantly.

The weekend looks split. Friday is 70 and dry. Saturday climbs to 75 and Sunday comes in around 72 with a slight chance of showers.

I found For Squirrels in the mid-90s and their story is one of the most heartbreaking in rock history.

The band from Gainesville had just recorded their debut album Example, and played a showcase in New York City. On the drive back to Florida, a tire blew out. The van overturned. Singer Jack Vigliatura, bassist Bill White, and tour manager Tim Bender were killed.

One month later, their debut album was released anyway. And then the band was essentially gone, just as the world was starting to hear them.

Meet Bogey Pauley, visiting from Carmel, Indiana.

Bogey is a Door County first-timer. Reader Marcy shared the photo of her nephew dog resting on the Sister Bay pier.

Bogey Pauley, welcome to the newsletter. Want to see your pet here? Send us your photos.

That’s a pretty good week up here.

See you up here,
Brian.