OUR MISSION
Our mission is to inspire and engage writers and readers of all ages, at all stages.
We do this through events and workshops at our Writing Center and within the community, through our residency program, and by offering support to our writers.
Meet Our Team
Al DeGenova's Bio
Al DeGenova is a writer, poet, teacher and marketing professional from the Chicago area. He has written four books, founded After Hours Press, and is co-editor of After Hours magazine, a journal of Chicago Writing and art. He has taught several workshops for Write On, Door County and teaches an annual summer writing class (originally the Norbert Blei Writing Workshop) at The Clearing Folk School; he has also taught in the MBA program at Concordia University in River Forest, IL.
This is all work he has done in parallel to a 30-year-career as a marketing executive managing people, strategic planning, and budgets. DeGenova will work with Write On’s founding and now artistic director, Jerod Santek, to continue growing the organization’s programs, outreach and reputation as a home for readers and writers on its 59-acre campus.
Al DeGenova's Bio
Al DeGenova is a writer, poet, teacher and marketing professional from the Chicago area. He has written four books, founded After Hours Press, and is co-editor of After Hours magazine, a journal of Chicago Writing and art. He has taught several workshops for Write On, Door County and teaches an annual summer writing class (originally the Norbert Blei Writing Workshop) at The Clearing Folk School; he has also taught in the MBA program at Concordia University in River Forest, IL.
This is all work he has done in parallel to a 30-year-career as a marketing executive managing people, strategic planning, and budgets. DeGenova will work with Write On’s founding and now artistic director, Jerod Santek, to continue growing the organization’s programs, outreach and reputation as a home for readers and writers on its 59-acre campus.
Executive Director
Jerod Santek's Bio
Jerod was the founding director of Write On and serves as its Artistic Director, overseeing the residency program as well as conferences, festivals, classes, and presentations. He serves on the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission and on the boards of several local organizations. From 2009-2019, he served on the board of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), representing Writers' Conferences and Centers. He has published poetry, fiction, and nonfiction in a number of print and online literary journals and magazines, including Ploughshares, Hayden's Ferry Review, and Blithe House Quarterly.
I am proud to be part of the beginning of Write On, Door County. In the summer of 2013, I took what many might consider a huge leap of faith and left my job as Program Director at one of the oldest writing organizations in the country - the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis - to head this new center. It remains one of the best decisions I've ever made. I am grateful to all the board members who joined with me in taking this risk, and to all the wonderful people who have supported us as we moved from dream to reality.
Contact Jerod at jerod@writeondoorcounty.org.
Jerod Santek's Bio
Jerod was the founding director of Write On and serves as its Artistic Director, overseeing the residency program as well as conferences, festivals, classes, and presentations. He serves on the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission and on the boards of several local organizations. From 2009-2019, he served on the board of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), representing Writers' Conferences and Centers. He has published poetry, fiction, and nonfiction in a number of print and online literary journals and magazines, including Ploughshares, Hayden's Ferry Review, and Blithe House Quarterly.
I am proud to be part of the beginning of Write On, Door County. In the summer of 2013, I took what many might consider a huge leap of faith and left my job as Program Director at one of the oldest writing organizations in the country - the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis - to head this new center. It remains one of the best decisions I've ever made. I am grateful to all the board members who joined with me in taking this risk, and to all the wonderful people who have supported us as we moved from dream to reality.
Contact Jerod at jerod@writeondoorcounty.org.
Founding & Artistic Director
Therese Marings's Bio
Therese has been called earnest, a research nerd, perspicacious (which she promptly looked up) and “assertively welcoming.” She takes all these as compliments.
These traits served Therese well during a career in magazine and book publishing that took her to New York; Chicago; Birmingham, Alabama; and Madison, Wisconsin. She has worked at word-y places including American Girl Publishing, Seventeen magazine, Advertising Age and the public library’s children’s department. She has freelance written and edited for national publications, websites and retailers. She is happy to be part of the inspiring community at Write On, Door County.
Contact Therese at therese@writeondoorcounty.org.
Therese Maring
Administrative Assistant
Board of Directors
Val Clarizio's Bio
Valerie Clarizio is a Door County native who attended Southern Door High School. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree with a Finance emphasis from Lakeland College. For the past twenty-three years, she has worked for the City of Sturgeon Bay as the Finance Director/Treasurer. Valerie has served on the Municipal Treasurers Association of Wisconsin Board in many capacities including holding the office of President during the 2016/2017 term. She continues to serve as a District Director.
When not crunching numbers for the city, Valerie can be found penning romance novels. She has a passion for writing as can be verified by her published accomplishments consisting of ten novels, three novellas, and three short stories. For almost ten years, Valerie was a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America where she served as the Treasurer during the 2016/2017 term.
Valerie is an outdoors enthusiast. In her free time, you'll find her and her husband of thirty years out hiking trails in national parks, state parks, or Door County land trusts. When not on land, you might find them on the water fishing for the ultimate Salmon, or kayaking inland lakes and tributaries.
Val Clarizio's Bio
Valerie Clarizio is a Door County native who attended Southern Door High School. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree with a Finance emphasis from Lakeland College. For the past twenty-three years, she has worked for the City of Sturgeon Bay as the Finance Director/Treasurer. Valerie has served on the Municipal Treasurers Association of Wisconsin Board in many capacities including holding the office of President during the 2016/2017 term. She continues to serve as a District Director.
When not crunching numbers for the city, Valerie can be found penning romance novels. She has a passion for writing as can be verified by her published accomplishments consisting of ten novels, three novellas, and three short stories. For almost ten years, Valerie was a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America where she served as the Treasurer during the 2016/2017 term.
Valerie is an outdoors enthusiast. In her free time, you'll find her and her husband of thirty years out hiking trails in national parks, state parks, or Door County land trusts. When not on land, you might find them on the water fishing for the ultimate Salmon, or kayaking inland lakes and tributaries.
Myles Dannhausen's Bio
Myles Dannhausen Jr. has loved the written word since his older sister gave him a copy of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders when he was 8 years old. An Egg Harbor native and Gibraltar High School graduate, he works as the Content Editor of the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living magazine, where he has told the stories of Door County for 15 years. His writing has also appeared in Wisconsin People & Ideas, Edible, Chicago Athlete, GapersBlock, OnMilwaukee, Running Times, and several other regional publications. In 2013 he co-founded Peninsula Filmworks with Brett Kosmider and David Eliot to tell stories through video. Like everyone else, someday he'll write a book.
Myles Dannhausen's Bio
Myles Dannhausen Jr. has loved the written word since his older sister gave him a copy of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders when he was 8 years old. An Egg Harbor native and Gibraltar High School graduate, he works as the Content Editor of the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living magazine, where he has told the stories of Door County for 15 years. His writing has also appeared in Wisconsin People & Ideas, Edible, Chicago Athlete, GapersBlock, OnMilwaukee, Running Times, and several other regional publications. In 2013 he co-founded Peninsula Filmworks with Brett Kosmider and David Eliot to tell stories through video. Like everyone else, someday he'll write a book.
Anne Haberland Emerson's Bio
Anne Haberland Emerson lives in Fish Creek with her husband, the architect and artist Minnow Emerson. She studied at Lawrence University and UW-Madison and worked as a writer at the University of Chicago Press before coming to Door County to open Edgewood Orchard Galleries in 1969.
It was through raising their children in Door County that she became involved with the local k-12 school and developed a deep commitment to the wider community. Anne was a founder of the effort to build the Door Community Auditorium at Gibraltar School in Fish Creek, and she has received statewide recognition for her advocacy of the arts, receiving the Governor's Award in Support of the Arts in 1987 and the Visual Arts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. She is also honored be among those who have received the Door County Community Foundation Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Anne is passionate about education and the interconnectedness of all the arts. She loves reading and writing, being in the great outdoors, and most of all being with her family, which now includes four young grandchildren growing up nearby.
What makes Door County such a wonderful place to live and visit? The natural beauty, the people, and the profusion of the arts truly nurture the human spirit. Write On will place the literary arts alongside the visual and performing arts to bring even more opportunity for human expression and connection.
Anne Haberland Emerson's Bio
Anne Haberland Emerson lives in Fish Creek with her husband, the architect and artist Minnow Emerson. She studied at Lawrence University and UW-Madison and worked as a writer at the University of Chicago Press before coming to Door County to open Edgewood Orchard Galleries in 1969.
It was through raising their children in Door County that she became involved with the local k-12 school and developed a deep commitment to the wider community. Anne was a founder of the effort to build the Door Community Auditorium at Gibraltar School in Fish Creek, and she has received statewide recognition for her advocacy of the arts, receiving the Governor's Award in Support of the Arts in 1987 and the Visual Arts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. She is also honored be among those who have received the Door County Community Foundation Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Anne is passionate about education and the interconnectedness of all the arts. She loves reading and writing, being in the great outdoors, and most of all being with her family, which now includes four young grandchildren growing up nearby.
What makes Door County such a wonderful place to live and visit? The natural beauty, the people, and the profusion of the arts truly nurture the human spirit. Write On will place the literary arts alongside the visual and performing arts to bring even more opportunity for human expression and connection.
Founding Member
Mauricio Kilwein Guevara's Bio
Mauricio Kilwein Guevara was born in Boyacá, Colombia and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He has taught literature and writing at the college level since his early twenties at Bowling Green State University, Marquette University, Vermont College, Universidad de las Américas (México), La Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia), and Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia). He taught for a dozen years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and, since 2003, at UWM. He's the author of four books (both verse and prose fiction) published in the United States, a collection of translations published in Madrid, Spain, and a comic play that received a staged reading Off-Broadway. His writing has appeared internationally in Argentina, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, México, and the UK. He was the first person of Latinx descent to be elected as President of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs' Board of Directors. He divides his time between the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee and Egg Harbor with his sweetheart, poet & teacher Janet Jennerjohn, and their rescue dog, Django Reinhund. Mauricio and Janet have two adult children, Andrés Esteban and Diego Eduardo. Mauricio enjoys sharing his love of language arts in schools, libraries, and other community settings.
Mauricio Kilwein Guevara's Bio
Mauricio Kilwein Guevara was born in Boyacá, Colombia and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He has taught literature and writing at the college level since his early twenties at Bowling Green State University, Marquette University, Vermont College, Universidad de las Américas (México), La Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia), and Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia). He taught for a dozen years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and, since 2003, at UWM. He's the author of four books (both verse and prose fiction) published in the United States, a collection of translations published in Madrid, Spain, and a comic play that received a staged reading Off-Broadway. His writing has appeared internationally in Argentina, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, México, and the UK. He was the first person of Latinx descent to be elected as President of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs' Board of Directors. He divides his time between the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee and Egg Harbor with his sweetheart, poet & teacher Janet Jennerjohn, and their rescue dog, Django Reinhund. Mauricio and Janet have two adult children, Andrés Esteban and Diego Eduardo. Mauricio enjoys sharing his love of language arts in schools, libraries, and other community settings.
Margaret LeBrun's Bio
Margaret LeBrun grew up in Southern Door County. As co-founder, former publisher and executive editor of Insight Publications, a business-to-business publishing and events company in Northeast Wisconsin, she produced the monthly Insight magazine, featuring the region's top companies and their CEOs. She has worked as a reporter, editor and writing coach for newspapers in Wisconsin and New York, receiving numerous state and national awards for her writing.
Margaret has served on the boards of the Fox Cities YMCA and Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin, as well as the marketing committee for New North, Inc. She received the Athena Leadership Award in 2014 from the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and was named to the Southern Door High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2015.
She received her degree in journalism from UW-Eau Claire. After living in Upstate New York for many years with her husband, Dave Allen, the couple moved to Appleton. In recent years they have spent time at their cottage in Sturgeon Bay, where they plan to eventually live when they're not traveling. Their young adult sons live in Madison and Colorado Springs.
Growing up on the bay in Door County, I was fortunate to be introduced to the arts at an early age. Words are my passion, and helping other writers hone their craft feeds my soul. Upon selling my business magazine to my partner in 2018, I searched for my new "tribe" … and I think I found it with Write On, Door County!
Margaret LeBrun's Bio
Margaret LeBrun grew up in Southern Door County. As co-founder, former publisher and executive editor of Insight Publications, a business-to-business publishing and events company in Northeast Wisconsin, she produced the monthly Insight magazine, featuring the region's top companies and their CEOs. She has worked as a reporter, editor and writing coach for newspapers in Wisconsin and New York, receiving numerous state and national awards for her writing.
Margaret has served on the boards of the Fox Cities YMCA and Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin, as well as the marketing committee for New North, Inc. She received the Athena Leadership Award in 2014 from the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and was named to the Southern Door High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2015.
She received her degree in journalism from UW-Eau Claire. After living in Upstate New York for many years with her husband, Dave Allen, the couple moved to Appleton. In recent years they have spent time at their cottage in Sturgeon Bay, where they plan to eventually live when they're not traveling. Their young adult sons live in Madison and Colorado Springs.
Growing up on the bay in Door County, I was fortunate to be introduced to the arts at an early age. Words are my passion, and helping other writers hone their craft feeds my soul. Upon selling my business magazine to my partner in 2018, I searched for my new "tribe" … and I think I found it with Write On, Door County!
Vice-President
Tori Martinez's Bio
Tori Martinez holds an Art degree from St. Norbert College - DePere, WI, and received her teaching certification from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. A long-time educator, Tori enjoys working with kids of all ages to encourage them to spark their creativity through the arts, reading, and writing. She's taught from Alaska to Mexico and landed back in Door County where she has been an ESL teacher, regular education teacher, and high school Iibrary associate. She makes her home in Sturgeon Bay, where she enjoys its working waterfront and small-town charm.
Tori's favorite thing to do is spend time with family - her personal chef husband, Mauricio, their two teenaged kids, Malaya and Rio, and their dog named "Bird" always have fun walking in the woods and visiting state parks. She loves the outdoors and has been section hiking the WI Ice Age National Scenic Trail over the past five years and hopes to finish someday!
She fancies herself a poet, has always dreamed of writing children's books and has a YA novel in her head that needs to be written.
Tori Martinez's Bio
Tori Martinez holds an Art degree from St. Norbert College - DePere, WI, and received her teaching certification from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. A long-time educator, Tori enjoys working with kids of all ages to encourage them to spark their creativity through the arts, reading, and writing. She's taught from Alaska to Mexico and landed back in Door County where she has been an ESL teacher, regular education teacher, and high school Iibrary associate. She makes her home in Sturgeon Bay, where she enjoys its working waterfront and small-town charm.
Tori's favorite thing to do is spend time with family - her personal chef husband, Mauricio, their two teenaged kids, Malaya and Rio, and their dog named "Bird" always have fun walking in the woods and visiting state parks. She loves the outdoors and has been section hiking the WI Ice Age National Scenic Trail over the past five years and hopes to finish someday!
She fancies herself a poet, has always dreamed of writing children's books and has a YA novel in her head that needs to be written.
Dee Paulsen's Bio
Dee Paulsen has lived in Sturgeon Bay since 1982, with her husband Eric. They have two grown married children, son Nels and daughter Annika, two grandchildren and one granddog. Dee has a B.S. in Elementary/Special Education from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and an M.S. in Education with an emphasis on children's literature from Viterbo College. She has taught for 23 years in grades 2, 3 and 6, (her heart is still in 6th grade Language Arts) and has worked as an office manager for Crown Life Insurance and Door County Eye Associates. Her interests include travel, reading, writing poetry, visiting elementary classrooms to read and do writing projects, and organizing gatherings with friends.
"I love encouraging folks of all ages and abilities to 'write it down.' I love words! I believe writing can be interesting, humorous, serious, and healing. I think every person has something to learn about themselves through writing - just to keep to themselves or to share. Everyone indeed has a story to tell."
Dee Paulsen's Bio
Dee Paulsen has lived in Sturgeon Bay since 1982, with her husband Eric. They have two grown married children, son Nels and daughter Annika, two grandchildren and one granddog. Dee has a B.S. in Elementary/Special Education from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and an M.S. in Education with an emphasis on children's literature from Viterbo College. She has taught for 23 years in grades 2, 3 and 6, (her heart is still in 6th grade Language Arts) and has worked as an office manager for Crown Life Insurance and Door County Eye Associates. Her interests include travel, reading, writing poetry, visiting elementary classrooms to read and do writing projects, and organizing gatherings with friends.
"I love encouraging folks of all ages and abilities to 'write it down.' I love words! I believe writing can be interesting, humorous, serious, and healing. I think every person has something to learn about themselves through writing - just to keep to themselves or to share. Everyone indeed has a story to tell."
Founding Member
Ashley Prange's Bio
Ashley Prange was born and raised in Green Bay Wisconsin, with summers in Egg Harbor, Door County. After working in Washington D.C. as a staffer on Capitol Hill and analyst at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ashley founded a vertically integrated natural makeup line called Au Naturale Cosmetic that has received features and awards from Allure, InStyle, Good Housekeeping, Domino, Vogue and Real Simple magazines.
Au Naturale is both a brand and a cause with a mission to create a positive impact for people and the planet. Through responsible and sustainable supply chains, philanthropic profit sharing, empowering organic farmers, advocacy for state and federal policies that champion the environment and consumer safety in personal care, and investment in zero footprint packaging, Au Naturale leads the Clean Beauty Revolution.
Ashley Prange currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Natural and Organic Beauty Alliance and St. Norbert College, and Write On Door County!
Ashley Prange currently resides in Sister Bay, WI.
Ashley Prange's Bio
Ashley Prange was born and raised in Green Bay Wisconsin, with summers in Egg Harbor, Door County. After working in Washington D.C. as a staffer on Capitol Hill and analyst at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ashley founded a vertically integrated natural makeup line called Au Naturale Cosmetic that has received features and awards from Allure, InStyle, Good Housekeeping, Domino, Vogue and Real Simple magazines.
Au Naturale is both a brand and a cause with a mission to create a positive impact for people and the planet. Through responsible and sustainable supply chains, philanthropic profit sharing, empowering organic farmers, advocacy for state and federal policies that champion the environment and consumer safety in personal care, and investment in zero footprint packaging, Au Naturale leads the Clean Beauty Revolution.
Ashley Prange currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Natural and Organic Beauty Alliance and St. Norbert College, and Write On Door County!
Ashley Prange currently resides in Sister Bay, WI.
Alessandra Simmons Rolffs' Bio
Alessandra and her husband came to Washington Island to grow vegetables for Hotel Washington for the summer season in 2015. After their first two growing seasons on the Island, they decided to move to the Island full-time. They started Hoot Blossom Farm, which now grows veggies, herbs, and flowers for Island residents and restaurants. Alessandra and her husband also helped found Gathering Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating community and learning in partnership with the generous earth through agriculture. She currently serves as its part-time executive director.
Alessandra holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and an MFA in poetry from Indiana University. She has poems published in anthologies and literary journals such as Rewilding: Poems for the Environment, Smartish Pace, Spillway, and others. She writes a column for the Washington Island Observer called Everyday Nature that mixes two of her loves - poetry, and nature.
Alessandra Simmons Rolffs' Bio
Alessandra and her husband came to Washington Island to grow vegetables for Hotel Washington for the summer season in 2015. After their first two growing seasons on the Island, they decided to move to the Island full-time. They started Hoot Blossom Farm, which now grows veggies, herbs, and flowers for Island residents and restaurants. Alessandra and her husband also helped found Gathering Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating community and learning in partnership with the generous earth through agriculture. She currently serves as its part-time executive director.
Alessandra holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and an MFA in poetry from Indiana University. She has poems published in anthologies and literary journals such as Rewilding: Poems for the Environment, Smartish Pace, Spillway, and others. She writes a column for the Washington Island Observer called Everyday Nature that mixes two of her loves - poetry, and nature.
Sara Sohns's Bio
Sara Sohns moved to Door County in 1994 and married Steve eight years later - then came Gwendolyn. The three reside in Fish Creek farm country. Sara has a B.A. in Mass Communications and a minor in Business Administration. She works as a Personal Banker and has been with Baylake Bank, now Nicolet National Bank, for twelve years. Active in the community, Sara is a member of the Northern Door County Rotary Club and on the board of Money Management Counselors. Her interests include music, travel, reading, writing poetry and painting with Gwendolyn too!
I really enjoy collaborating with ideas and crafting with words. Sharing my love of words and helping others promote their creations are what I enjoy most with Write On Door County. I joined Write On Door County because I believe that writing is a great way to grow, share thoughts and learn from each other. Write On is all about this and I am so happy to be involved!
Sara Sohns's Bio
Sara Sohns moved to Door County in 1994 and married Steve eight years later - then came Gwendolyn. The three reside in Fish Creek farm country. Sara has a B.A. in Mass Communications and a minor in Business Administration. She works as a Personal Banker and has been with Baylake Bank, now Nicolet National Bank, for twelve years. Active in the community, Sara is a member of the Northern Door County Rotary Club and on the board of Money Management Counselors. Her interests include music, travel, reading, writing poetry and painting with Gwendolyn too!
I really enjoy collaborating with ideas and crafting with words. Sharing my love of words and helping others promote their creations are what I enjoy most with Write On Door County. I joined Write On Door County because I believe that writing is a great way to grow, share thoughts and learn from each other. Write On is all about this and I am so happy to be involved!
Treasurer
Allison Vroman's Bio
Allison Vroman got her start in the county like many - slinging eggs and cheeseburgers during the summer to make money for college. Upon graduation from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in English, she landed a job as a writer and eventually editor with the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living. After helping to share the stories of the peninsula for nearly a decade, her own story took a turn when she met her husband. They hopped around the Great Lakes for a few years as he finished his career in the U.S. Coast Guard. Now, she is delighted to be back "home" and once again involved in perpetuating the stories of Door County through Write On.
When she's not pecking away at her keyboard for her 9-5 job as a copywriter, you can usually find her adventuring (or scheming up the next adventure) with her husband Jonathan, daughter Ivy, and two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Hazel and Bosun.
Allison Vroman's Bio
Allison Vroman got her start in the county like many - slinging eggs and cheeseburgers during the summer to make money for college. Upon graduation from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in English, she landed a job as a writer and eventually editor with the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living. After helping to share the stories of the peninsula for nearly a decade, her own story took a turn when she met her husband. They hopped around the Great Lakes for a few years as he finished his career in the U.S. Coast Guard. Now, she is delighted to be back "home" and once again involved in perpetuating the stories of Door County through Write On.
When she's not pecking away at her keyboard for her 9-5 job as a copywriter, you can usually find her adventuring (or scheming up the next adventure) with her husband Jonathan, daughter Ivy, and two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Hazel and Bosun.
Secretary
OUR VALUES
Write On, Door County is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable place where all participants, resident writers, employees, and volunteers - whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability - feel valued and respected. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are heard. To that end, we uphold a commitment to a diverse community by nurturing an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Write On, Door County is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy place for all participants, staff, and volunteers. If you have been fully vaccinated, you are not required to wear a mask. If you have not been vaccinated, please continue to mask in order to protect yourself and others.
As the situation continues to evolve, we will continue to follow the recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control, the Wisconsin Department of Health, and the Door County Health Department.
We encourage all of our program participants to follow current protocols.
Write On, Door County is dedicated to the creation and nurturing of an environment in which everyone feels welcomed as a dignified member of our community, regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, age, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. This applies to employment, our residency program, and all of our programming.
Write On, Door County is committed to providing a supportive and nurturing space for all residents, program participants, staff members, and volunteers. We expect participants to treat each other with respect in all interactions.
Expectations of Program Participants, whether online or in-person:
- Listen carefully
- Respond thoughtfully
- Act respectfully
- Avoid harassment in both actions and words
Harassment takes many forms and may include:
- Deliberate intimidation
- Repeated disruption of classes or programs
- Unwelcome physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Verbal comments or displayed images that harmfully reinforce structures of oppression
- Written contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene letters, notes, invitations
- Verbal contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene comments, threats, slurs, jokes about identity-specific traits, such as gender, race, or national origin
- Visual contact, such as leering or staring at another's body, gesturing, displaying sexually suggestive pictures or objects
- Continuing to express sexual or social interest after being informed directly that the interest is unwelcome
- Using sexual behavior to control, influence or affect the career, salary, or work environment of another
Harassment does not include respectful disagreement or critique in good faith. By their nature, reading and writing include exposure to controversial, challenging, and sometimes offensive language.
At the core of Write On's mission is the belief that reading and writing create a deep understanding of ourselves and others, thereby encouraging empathy and compassion in our society.
Write On, Door County is located in Fish Creek, Door County, Wisconsin. We acknowledge the First Nations people who are the original inhabitants of the region, having ancient historical and spiritual connections to the land where our organization now resides upon. We acknowledge the First Nations People of Wisconsin specifically the Potawatomi, Winnebago (Ho-Chunk), Ojibwe, Sauk, Noquet, Menominee, and Ottawa people. We acknowledge this space as their land and home.
Through the signing of the 1830 Indian Removal Act, the Potawatomi and other tribes were forced from Wisconsin to other states around the country. The U.S. government removed about 900 Potawatomi in what is known as the Potawatomi Trail of Death, where around 100 members of the tribes died from illness and stress during the forced removal.
These tribes were forced to leave, however, this is still their land and their home and it always will be, and we at Write On, Door County will continue to acknowledge it as such.
Write On, Door County mourns with our community for lives lost to violence and racism and stands with all people striving for a just society.
There is a place for everyone in anti-racism work. No one person or organization can do it all, but together, our collective power is transformative.
Please stand with us as we say, unequivocally: black lives matter. Black lives matter in every city, in every neighborhood, in every rural town, and every village in Wisconsin. We invite you to work in partnership with us to make this statement a reality.
As a member organization of the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission, Write On's board of directors approved this statement on immigrants and affirms it as one of our core values:
The rise in angry rhetoric against immigrants, particularly immigrants of color, the policy of child separation, and the treatment of children in detention camps on the Southern Border of the United States point to a climate of xenophobia, in the United States, that is as dehumanizing as it is inhumane. Because we understand that the role of the arts involves education and because we affirm its responsible function in working for justice, with this statement, the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission stands with immigrant communities and asserts that immigrants are vital contributors to the social fabric and promise of the United States of America.
We at Write On cannot stand idly by while the violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community continues. The tragic murders on March 16, 2021, of eight people-all but one of them women-in their workplace were horrific and unimaginable. We offer our condolences to their families, and we extend our support to those facing discrimination and living in fear of similar acts every day. We strongly believe every person deserves to feel safe and live peacefully, and we are committed to being an ally for those fighting racial and social injustice.
We'd like to share some resources to help all of us bring about real change. To report an incident of harassment or violence against members of the AAPI community, please visit www.stopaapihate.org and learn ways you can show your support. We also recommend:
- Time magazine's "Donating, Volunteering, Reporting Hate Incidents: Here's How to Help Combat Anti-Asian Violence"
- Cathy Park Hong's recent article in the New York Times "The Slur I Never Expected to Hear in 2020"
- Texas Book Festival's "Recommended reading about racism against Asian Americans"
We encourage you to visit Kundiman's list of "Literary Organizations that Serve Writers of Color" and consider donating to some of the arts organizations on the list working to support Asian American communities and voices.
Please join us in raising awareness and standing against the hate however you can. If you see something, please say or do something. Together we are stronger.
Read About Us - Peninsula Pulse Oct. 2, 2020 Issue
A Dream for Our Future
Write On's dream to be a home for writers and readers continues to grow.
A short walk across the street from the Writing Center will lead to a new haven for writers.
Join us as we dream and build a new vision.
Thank You to Our Members and Donors
Write On, Door County is grateful for the contributions and generosity of our members. Our Write On family helps us to further our mission of inspiring people to write and share their stories. This list represents all individual members as of December 31, 2021.
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Melissa Alfredson
Ann Dee Allen
Claudia Alt
Mari Anderson
Susan Anhalt
Mithra Ballesteros
Kathy L Bandstra
Francha Barnard
Linda Battaglia
Marianna Beck
Carrie R Bedore
Miriam Ben-Yoseph
Becca Berger
Sara Biren
Joan Blackwood
Kathleen G. Blankenburg
Jocelyn Boor
Nancy Boyd
Michael Brecke
Sally Bredehoft
Anita Bublik-Anderson
Charles Burgess
Marianne Canter
Naomi Carlson
Susan Cattey
Rebecca Cavanaugh
April Cervetti
Robin Chapman
Audrey Chowdhury
Tom & Lisa Clay
Deb Cleveland
Cathryn Cofell
Cathy Conger
George Conner
Cecelia Conway
John Coy
Trissa Crowley
Sheri Davenport
Lisa Davidson
Bev Davis
Maureen Davitt
Donna L. de Camara
Jane Desmond
Nancy Cross Dunham
Mary Dunworth
Sherri Edwards
Martha Egan
Beth Ehlert
Kathleen Ernst
Mark Falcone
Janis Falk Bator
Ted Fearson
Heather Fellner-Spetz
Susan M Foley
Marianne Fons
Mary Lou Forier
Tina Gan
Hanne Gault
Tamara Gaumond
Renee Glembin
Eloisa Gomez
Susan Gould
Jynelle Gracia
Tori L. Grant Welhouse
Elise Gregory
Annette Grunseth
Jo Guenzel
Brian Gutheinz
Judith Gwinn Adrian
Jane Hamilton
Jami Hanreddy
Chris Hansen
Lisa Harper
Lindsay Harris
Mary Hartman
Lisa Hartmann
Margaret Hasse
Marilyn Hein
Kaye Henrickson
Ronnie Hess
Jane Hillstrom
Liz Hoffman
Brigid Hogan
Judy Hollingshead
Deborah A Hoogesteger
Lyn Huber
Lora Hyler
Raeanne Hytone
Robert I Almada
Betsy Iversen
D'Ann Jackson
Catherine Jagoe
Katy Jensen
A Kaiser
Nikki Kallio
Carolyn Kane
Jean Kapolnek
Christy Kelly-Bentgen
Marianne Kenny
Joel Kitchens
Tena Klessig
Jeannie Kokes
Judy Kolosso
Joseph Kopec
Christina Kubasta
Jackie Langetieg
Barbara Larsen
Kim Larson
Estella Lauter
Julie L Layton
Diane LeBlanc
Margaret LeBrun
Donna Leighton
Maureen F Leuba
Lee LeVoy
Susan Liguori
Barbara Loeb
Peggy Lott
Carla Luna
Patricia Mackin
Thomas Malin
Constance Malloy
Florri McMillan
Michael John Michaels
Sharon Michalsen
Susan Mikulay
Judith Miller
Marggie Moertl
Amy Mollberg
Kay Moore
Louise Endres Moore
Natalie Morgan
Rodney Nelsestuen
Erika Nelson
Gillian Nevers
Martha Newkirk
Molly L. Newman
Jan Newport
June Nirschl
James Nitz
Tiffany ODay
Judi Oldridge
Kristine Olson
Kristine Olson
Courtney E. Pace
Pam Parker
Lissa Parr
David Penpek
Susan Petroshius
Carol B Phillips
Amy Phimister
Daniel Powers
Kolleen ("Maggee") Quilici
Nancy Rafal
Jim Rasmus
Hilarie Rath
Laura Reali
Joyce Rewolinski
Carlos Reyes
Audrey Riley
Patrick Riordan
Maery Rose
LaDona Rowings
Judy Roy
Ella Sanco
Parmit Sandhu
Bela I Sandor
Maya Sasi
Gretchen Schmelzer
David Schrader
Cynthia Schumerth
Renee Schwaller
Christy Schwan
Mary Seeberg
Kathi Seifert
Holly Selle
Yvette M. Senger
Kathleen Serley
Aretha Sills
Carol B. Sills
Maggie Smith
Mary Spoerke
Roseann St. Aubin
Shelley A. St. Jean
Carol Straubel
James Streed
Deena Sutherland
Janet Swain
Maggie TerHorst
Jeanne Topic
Dianne Trenchard
Martha Trowe
Angie Trudell Vasquez
Peggy Turnbull
John Tyson
Rob Van Gemert
Dawn Volpe
Carla Ward
Ed Werstein
Frances Wiedenhoeft
Liza Wiemer
Lee Wilder
Joan Wilk
Margaret Williams
Mary B Wimmer
Jan Wrede
Stasku Wrzeszcz
Bob Zanotti
Unsie Zuege
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Write On, Door County is grateful for the contributions and generosity of our members. Our Write On family helps us to further our mission of inspiring people to write and share their stories. This list represents all family members as of December 31, 2021.
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Susan & Malcolm Allen
Fred Amram & Sandra Brick
William & Heather Andersen
Billie & Chris Augustian
David & Jeanne Aurelius
Al and Laurin Bellg
Honnie Bermas & Kenneth Branstetter
Lana Billeaud & John McGinnis
Patricia & James Blair
Andrea Boehmer & Lisa Hocevar
Ann & John Boland
Frank & Cristy Christensen
Valerie & Richard Clarizio
Helene & Edward Conlon
Daniel Collins & Nancy Aten
David Tilton & Paula Oeler
Tom & Ethel Davis
David de Coriolis & Rhonda Robinson
Gloria Dougherty
Anne & Minnow Emerson
Chuck & Dolly Emerson
Beth Gullickson & David Nelson
Gary and JoAnn Henger
Janna Jacobson & Andrea Gabriel
Gary & Krista Johnson
Jack & Carrie Kelly
Mauricio Kilwein Guevara & Janet Jennerjohn
Cynthia & Tom Kraack
Cynthia & Tom LaConte
Paulette Laufer & Richard Carlson
Larry & Elfriede LePorte
Barbara Mackison & Bob Fahrenbach
Roderick & Kristin MacRae
James & Gail Mahoney
Laurie Fallucca & Mark Rowland
Tim & Marcia McDonough
Shaun & Susan Melarvie
Ralls C Melotte
Andrea Nielson Bartlett
Rex & Lynette Owens
Miranda & Baptiste Paul
Eric & Dee Paulsen
Jerod Santek & Brian Bergee
Sara & Ed Sarna
John & Jackie Sawyer
Kirk & Donna Scattergood
Thomas & Pamela Schaefer
Linda & Larry Shelton
Peter & Carrie Sherrill
Kathlin F. & James Sickel
Sara & Steve Sohns
Karen & David Studebaker
Lisa Stukenberg
Pete & Roberta Thelen
Sue Twiggs
Allison Vroman & Jon Parsons
Lauren & Travis Ward
Kristin Wegner & Eric Howe
Thomas Pecore & Denise Low Weso
David Zuckerman
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Write On, Door County is grateful for the contributions and generosity of our members. Our Write On family helps us to further our mission of inspiring people to write and share their stories. This list represents all youth and student members as of December 31, 2021.
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Alix Chamorro
Ellis Chamorro
Emma Kerkman
Isabel Salazar
Haley Stevens
Justina Zukauskaite
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Our Book & Writing Club Members are our advocates and partners. Their membership affords them the use of the Writing Center, among other benefits. This list represents all club members as of December 31, 2021.
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Dennis B Appleton
Sharon Auberle
Carolyn Browne
Christine DeSmet
Friends of Lorine Niedecker, Inc.
George Harmon
Karl & Carol Hertz
Eager Readers
Deborah A Hoogesteger
Women's Writers Group
Kathy LaBelle
Bonnie Mirkiewicz
Michael Morrison
Sherry Mutchler
DCPAC
John Torinus
Our Business Members are our advocates and partners. We are grateful for their continued support in the wider community. This list represents all business members as of December 31, 2021.
- After Hours Press
- Bay Point Inn
- Laurin and Al Bellg
- Blue Horse Beach Cafe
- Cappaert Contemporary Gallery
- Door County Eye Associates
- Door County Polar Bear Press
- Edgewood Orchard Galleries
- Fair Isle Books
- Friends of Lorine Niedecker
- The Garden Lady
- Gills Rock Pottery
- Grasse's Grill
- Hello Door County
- Main Street Market
- Margaret & David Magle
- Margaret Lockwood Gallery
- Sand Beach Press
- Turtle Ridge Gallery
- Wake Up the Writer Within
- White Gull Inn
These donors were generous with goods, services, and gifts of property as of December 31, 2021. We are deeply grateful.
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Sylvia Acevedo
Blackbird Bake Shop
Door County Coffee & Tea
Door County Event Planners
Stephen and Suzanne Evans
Janis Falk
Flora Flower Shop
Main Street Market
Peach Barn Brewing Company
Red Barn
Jerod Santek and Brian Bergee
Wickman House
This is a listing of those who have donated to the Annual Fund of Write On, Door County from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
Your gift deserves to be acknowledged. If we have made an error, please notify us immediately so that we may correct the inadvertent error. If you would like to remain anonymous in the future, please reach out to us.
In 2022, we are updating our member/donor software. Please contact us if you notice any inaccuracies on this list.
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Linda & Jim Adams
Susan & Malcolm Allen
Mike & Helene Anderson
Craig & Shari Asher
John Asher
Francha Barnard
Steven & Susan Bell
James & Jean Berkenstock
Sarah Besadny
Lana Billeaud & John McGinnis
Tom & Linda Birmingham
Kathleen G. Blankenburg
Bev B Blietz
Edwin Block & Suzanne Ryer
Andrea Boehmer & Lisa Hocevar
Clay & Poodie Bonin
Steven & Vicki Borsheim
Michael Brecke
Paul Brophy
Carlson & Erickson Builders
Mark Cebulski
David & Betty Chomeau
Charlie Claggett
Tom & Meg Claggett
Valerie & Richard Clarizio
Tom & Lisa Clay
Kathleen L Cobb
Helene & Edward Conlon
Bonnie & Dennis Connolly
Linda Conway
Bob Cozby
Ted & Barbara Crabb
Susan Cubar & Thomas Jordan
Curt & Sue Culver
Anne & Myles Dannhausen, Jr.
Tom & Ethel Davis
John DeDakis
Peter & Gina Deschler
Bruce Dethlefsen & Sue Allen
Rebecca Dosch Brown
Chuck & Joanne Dull
Sherri & David Edwards
Michael Elkow
Anne & Minnow Emerson
Alan & Cindy Finesilver
Fountain of Fellowship
Don Fraker & Maja Jurisic
Frog & Toad Fund
Don & Barbara Fuhrmann
Dr. Jenna Goldsmith
Chuck & Cathy Gress
Cathy Grier
Marge & Steve Grutzmacher
Judith Gwinn Adrian
Jami & Joe Hanreddy
George & Judy Harmon
Bill & Mary Hartman
Nell & John Herlache
Ann & David Heyse
Hislop Foundation
Judy Hollingshead
J-Kem Electronics, Inc.
Ann & Mark Jinkins
John and Laurel Hauser Family Foundation
Al & Cynthia Barnes Johnson
Charlotte & Richard Johnston
Lynn Kaczmarek & Mack Bonk
Athena Kildegaard
David & Kendall Koehler
Sonja Laughlin Koenig
Kathy Kouzmanoff
Dale & Burton Kushner
Kathryn Kysar
Mynn Lanphier
Carol E. Larson
Carrie Lautenbach-Viste
Estella & Chuck Lauter
Mary & Raphael LeBrun
Lenfestey Family Foundation
Maureen F Leuba
Karen & Walter Lischick
Cynthia E Little
Margaret Lockwood &
Alin Walker
Peggy Lott
Charlotte Lukes
Doug MacNeil
Roderick & Kristin MacRae
Tamara Madison
Sally McEvoy
John M McGinnis
Chuck Mead
David & Marion Meissner
Michael & Ann Morgan
Michael Morrison
JoAnn Mueller
Erika Nelson
Network For Good
David & Lori Nicholas
Steve & Kaaren Northrop
Tracy & Carl Nusbaum
Maryanne & Eamon O'Dowd
Lady & Ted Olson
On Deck Clothing Company
Gail Onan
Lissa Parr
Paul & Margaret Lurie Family Fund
Miranda & Baptiste Paul
Eric & Dee Paulsen
Matthew &
Marianne Joy Peterson
Lynda M Pietruszka
Daniel Powers
Richard Purinton
Nancy Rafal
Jim & Martha Rasmus
Marise Redmann
Drew & Kristi Richmond
Judy Ritter
George & Kristi Roenning
Elizabeth Sachs
Marlene Salley
Lucy Sanna
Jerod Santek & Brian Bergee
Sara & Ed Sarna
John & Jackie Sawyer
Kirk & Donna Scattergood
Schmitz Insurance LLC
Mary Schmitz
Kathi Seifert
Jim & Carol Sensenbrenner
Charles & Barbara Shakal
Peter & Carrie Sherrill
Matt Shumway & Ruby Shumway Pediangco
Tony Staroska & Rebecca Carlton
John & Jane Stevenson
Stone's Throw Winery
Tim & Sue Stone
Karen & David Studebaker
Jill Stukenberg
The Leonard Apfelbach
Charitable Fund
John Torinus
Alison Townsend
Robert & Mary Trainer
Dianne Trenchard
Mark Turcotte
Lynde Uihlein, Brico Fund
Julie Van Klooster
Kathleen Waldvogel
Diana Wallace
Gail Ward & Mary Faha
Francis & Mary Wasielewski
David & Holly Weber
Kristin Wegner & Eric Howe
William White
Lynn Wiese Sneyd
Margaret Williams
Gene & Carmen Witt
Cap & Mary Wulf
Judie Yamamoto
Young Automotive Inc
Jeannine K Zahran
Phyllis Zatlin
Unsie Zuege & Mark Webster
This is a listing of those who have donated to Write On, Door County from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Your gift deserves to be acknowledged. If we have made an error, please notify us immediately so that we may correct the inadvertent error. If you would like to remain anonymous in the future, please reach out to us.
In 2022, we are updating our member/donor software. Please contact us if you notice any inaccuracies on this list.
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Anonymous (3)
Jeffrey Alsdorf
Claudia Alt
David & Jeanne Aurelius
Nicholas Babson
Patty Baker
Laurin & Al Bellg
Walter Benoist
Julia Berkowitz
Bret & Cari Bicoy
Patricia & James Blair
Clay & Poodie Bonin
Steven & Vicki Borsheim
Dan & Peg Bresnahan
Caitlin Oleson
R. David & La Vonne Callsen
Betty Anne Carlin
Elizabeth Carlin
Debra Chapman
Robin Chapman
Jane A Charlton
Frank & Cristy Christensen
Tom & Meg Claggett
Carol Connell
Chris Cramer
Susan Cubar & Thomas Jordan
Carolyn Curiel
Tom & Ethel Davis
Donna L. de Camara
Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
Gloria Dougherty
Lynda Drews
Jane Drury
Chuck & Dolly Emerson
Steve & Keresa Ericksen
Nancy Fishman
Nancy & Jim Forbes
Gerri Friedberg
Friends of Lorine Niedecker, Inc.
Gene and Zola Hardwick Family Foundation
Eloisa Gomez
Barbara S. Gould
Tori L. Grant Welhouse
Chuck & Cathy Gress
Annette Grunseth
Donald Hagengruber
Deb Hagman-Shannon
George & Judy Harmon
Lindsay Harris
Jane Hensge
Karl & Carol Hertz
Ann & David Heyse
Donna Hilbert
Bill Hinchliff
Hislop Foundation
John and Laurel Hauser Family Foundation
Grace Johnson
Lynn Kaczmarek & Mack Bonk
Carolyn Kane
Mauricio Kilwein Guevara & Janet Jennerjohn
Sherry Billett & Joel Kitchens
Adel B Korkor
Meredith Koenig Kreiss
Kathryn Kysar
Paulette Laufer & Richard Carlson
Kathryn Lerch
Susan Livengood
Peggy Lott
Barbara Mackison & Bob Fahrenbach
Lizabeth Maltman
Brooke McEwen
Shaun & Susan Melarvie
Bob & Linda Merline
Kay Moore
Dipika Mukherjee
Ralph Murre
Sherry Mutchler
Rodney Nelsestuen
Martha Newkirk
David & Lori Nicholas
Jay Nichols
James O'Brien
Melissa Olm
Lady & Ted Olson
Gorgas & Sherry Paulsen
Hilary Pennington
David Penpek
Maggie Peterman
Daniel Powers
J.T. Reidy
Steve R. Romano
LaDona Rowings
Margaret Sankey
Jerod Santek & Brian Bergee
Lisa Schab
Gretchen Schmelzer
Kathi Seifert
Jim & Carol Sensenbrenner
Peter & Carrie Sherrill
Peter Sloma
Michael & Shelley A. St. Jean
Barbara Stanton
Gwen Stern
John & Jane Stevenson
David Strong
Karen & David Studebaker
Lisa Stukenberg
Joseph Tachovsky
Tim & Sue Stone
Tom and Bev Lisle Fund
John Tyson
Betsy Wallman
Cathy & Jeff Ward
Kathleen Welch & Shelley Hearne
Jason & Sarah White
William White
Lee Wilder
Karen Wilson
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This is a listing of those who have donated to Write On, Door County's Legacy Fund from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Your gift deserves to be acknowledged. If we have made an error, please notify us immediately so that we may correct the inadvertent error. If you would like to remain anonymous in the future, please reach out to us.
In 2022, we are updating our member/donor software. Please contact us if you notice any inaccuracies on this list.
- Catherine Ditto
- Mary Ditto
- Nicholas Ditto
- Margaret LeBrun & David Allen Family
- Kathi Seifert
2022
- Tim and Marcia McDonough
Write On, Door County is grateful for the contributions and generosity of our donors.
This list represents all donors who donated towards a program sponsorship in 2021.
In 2022, we are updating our member/donor software. Please contact us if you notice any inaccuracies on this list.
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Kim Schey-Scuglik | Kids WOW!
Kim Schey-Scuglik | Dick Scuglik Memorial Scholarship
Edgewood Orchard Children's Fund | Lost Words Trail Program
Jerod Santek & Brian Bergee | Poetry Conference Sponsor
Jerod Santek & Brian Bergee | Mystery Conference Sponsor
Minnow and Anne Emerson | Poetry Conference Sponsor
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant | Annual Gala, Presenting Sponsor
Peninsula Pulse, LLC | Annual Gala, Major Sponsor
Washington Island Ferry Line, Inc. | Washington Island Literary Festival
Marianne Fons | Washington Island Literary Festival
Larry & Rebecca Majewski, Parador | Mystery Conference Sponsor
Nicolet Bank | Mystery Conference Sponsor
Coop Finds a Home
Norbert Blei was one of Door County's best-known writers. For almost 45 years, he wrote in his chicken coop-turned writing studio at his home in Ellison Bay. Norb passed away in 2013, at the time that Write On was getting started. The Blei family donated the Coop to Write On, with the understanding that it would be used by other writers in the spirit Norb intended. In August of 2015, the Coop was moved to Write On. It now stands in a sunny meadow and serves as a source of inspiration to Write On's residents as well as to members of our community. Blei's typewriters continue to serve as inspiration to visitors of the Coop.
