Special offer

"Door County Almanak" Offers a Closer Look at One of Wisconsin's Favorite Summer Destinations

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Madeline Island Realty 50317-90

If you haven't seen one, check out a copy of the "Door County Almanak" (yes, that's the correct spelling of this publication).  The "Almanak" series was actually published in the early to mid-1980s, by Dragonsbreath Press in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. 

The series is out of print now, to my knowledge, but Amazon and various other sources still carry these books.  The Almanak is a treasure trove of Door County folklore: recipes, old photos, stories from pioneer days, fishing advice. poetry and tall tales. 

You can read about "The History of the Fish Boil" (in volume 3), or "Meditations on a Small Lake" by Norbert Blei.  The Almanak series appears to have a heavy emphasis on fishing and nautical stories.  There are also stories about the early community on Washington Island. 

I own three volumes of the series and am still looking to fill in the gaps in my collection.  If you or someone in your family is a Door County fan, you should consider a copy of the "Door County Almanak" as a great holiday gift idea!

Comments (4)

Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Hi Eric:  Your area is so genuinely rich in history and folklore.  I don't know if it is because I am getting "older" or what, but I really enjoy hearing about all the stories you share about your beloved Wisconsin.  In some ways I am glad I relocated to Fort Worth from Cleveland twenty-five years ago, but in many other ways... I miss all the history and people from the great city of Cleveland.  Thanks for sharing...
Dec 15, 2007 04:39 PM
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

Thank you Karen Anne!

What I enjoy about the Door County Almanak is the fact that it is an effort to preserve the past history of the area.  There is so much about local history that is lost or sugar-coated and never winds up being properly recorded. 

Dec 16, 2007 06:51 AM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate
That sounds so cool. I've never heard of anything like that before.
Dec 16, 2007 02:21 PM
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
Lisa, copies of the Door County Almanak are going for $6 to $8 a copy at flea markets and bookstores.  That's not a bad price for what's inside!
Dec 16, 2007 04:10 PM