The colorful designs found on some of the barns in Door County are called Barn Quilts.  They are generally chosen from a families own colorful quilt pattern that has been passed down over the years.

Barn Quilts got their start in 2001 by Donna Sue Groves. It was her wish to honor her mother, Maxine, and her Appalachian Heritage by having a painted quilt hang on her barn in Adams County, Ohio.  I big hit by her neighbors, many people wanted a painted Barn Quilt too.  Donna Sue’s friends encouraged her to paint the quilt square on her barn.

                                                             Donna Sue Groves 

Donna Sue worked with the Ohio Arts Council which inspired an alteration to her original plan.  She suggested a sampling of 20 square quilts created along a driving trail that would invite visitors to travel through the countryside to view the Barn Quilts.  Several barn owners signed on, and the work began.  That is how the American Quilt Trail got it’s start in Adams County, Ohio.   

Donna Sue didn’t just stop in Ohio, she traveled to Iowa to introduce the idea along with Tennessee and Kentucky.  This simple idea has spread to 48 states and to Canada thanks to Donna Sue.

In 2010, the Door County Barn Quilt Project was organized.  Barn Quilts were painted by 4-H Members and leaders, FFA members and other volunteers.  There are many Barn Quilts in Door County.  Enjoy driving through the countryside to see these amazing Barn Quilts!

Courtesy:  Peninsula Plus

Butterflies start appearing in Door County mid-May.  Have you noticed any butterflies in July?  This season the numbers have not been as high as other summers because of the cooler spring we had this year.  The good news, due to the recent heat wave in July, the numbers are increasing. 

There are about 50 species in Wisconsin.  In Door County, 27 of the 50 species have been reported.   One of the easiest butterflies to see flying is the yellow tiger swallowtail.  My favorite will always be the Monarch butterfly. 

Did you know that butterflies are sun worshipers, that seldom you would see on a cloudy day.  It seems the sun provides them with the power of flight. 

While in Door County, see if you can find the 27 species that have been reported.  I know I’ve seen one, the Monarch!  

Are you looking for a place to visit?  Check out Egg Harbor.  We have a lovely marina.  A beautiful sand beach for swimming with paddle boards, kayaks and more.  We have unique shops, boutiques, home accessories, art galleries, and more.  We have wineries, distilleries, brew pubs, Trolley tours, golf, farm markets, ice cream shops, groceries, and spas.  Egg Harbor is a great place to stay!  

If you are looking for a place to stay within walking distance to the village, The Egg Harbor Lodge could be your home away from home.  We do have the best sunsets of the bay!

Don’t miss out on the fun of picking your own cherries.  Northern Door will be ready for picking in a few weeks, but you can count on picking cherries now in Southern Door.  If you aren’t up for picking cherries, our many farm markets have cherries already picked for you.

If you still looking for a room to stay, think of us!  

Happy Cherry Picking!

Eight miles south of the Egg Harbor Lodge is a new wine-tasting room that just opened in Carlsville.  Red Oak Winery owner’s Gigi and Andy Wagener have moved from their operation in Sturgeon Bay to 5781 Hwy 42 in Carlsville.

The Red Oak winery opened in 2004 and had been at the previous location since 2012.  The new tasting room opened officially on July 4 – exactly 16 years after its original opening.   Red Oak features red, white, semi-sweet, fruit and desert wines. 

Visit their new tasting room Sunday – Thursday, 10 am – 4 pm; and Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm.