Speed Snorkeling

Dear Friends,

The only time I travelled to Mexico was on an all inclusive vacation. Whatever you could fit in your kayak was included. 😊 I’m not much for fancy hotels. We were kayaking in the Baja Peninsula, looking for blue whales in an area called the Blue Triangle. There were 6 of us and 2 guides.

I remember Tom, the main guide, stopping me as I plowed through the water snorkeling. YEAH BABY – I was covering some ground! Tom said “Dan – you’re seeing a lot and experiencing nothing.” GUILTY.  When snorkeling, the key is to go slow and become a part of the environment rather than passing through it; that is when all of the cool fish and creatures reveal themselves.

So I slowed down, and I couldn’t believe the volume and variety of sea life I was suddenly witnessing. We later went snorkeling at night – let me tell you, that is a wild scene. *Cue theme from Jaws.*

Just like snorkeling, if you fly through life at Mach 5, you see a lot and experience nothing. I am guilty as charged, but it just takes Tom’s words of wisdom to get me to slow down a bit.

I do think that is the value of spending time in nature. It grounds you, invites you to take a deep breath, and connects you with the Earth’s rhythms. We live in a fast paced world. Holy cow, even in little Plymouth, WI, the pace can just get crazy.

Another beauty of water sports – any exercise for that matter – is that you have to concentrate on your breath. As you do, you will find that your pace and anxieties settle as well. I have said this many times, but your soul is intimately tied to your breath. Air, not water, is our first need. Just see how long your soul stays in the body after you stop breathing for 1 second too long!

So find your fins and enjoy meandering through the life that surrounds you!

If your lungs or airways could use some extra support (especially in the thick of allergy season), we have some resources that can do just that.

Emphaplex: a lung “multivitamin”

Antronex: helps clear excess histamine and opens up airways

AllergCo: an herbal formula that helps manage allergy symptoms, while also supporting airway mucosa healing

Breath by James Nestor – a great read that offers a lot of foundational, empowering, and free tools for your health.

God Bless,

Dr. Dan

Emphaplex
Antronex
AllergCo

Testimonial

Kurt Bassuener, President of MWS Associates, Inc.

MWS Associates has leased office space in the Business Center since the inception of our company in 2018 and from 2015-2018 with the previous company that I worked for.  The Business Center was the clear choice for us to locate our main office for several reasons: location, cost effectiveness, reliable high-speed internet, services offered and full access to the conference room.  It truly offers everything our company needs to headquarter our business from without the hassle of owning our own office building with the maintenance, yard care and snowplowing that goes along with ownership.  

A major benefit for us is the ability to host in-person and online meetings in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art conference room.  COVID changed many aspects of our business with a major increase in online meetings being one of them.  Many companies struggled with technology issues to host or participate in online meetings with poor audio, video quality, background noise and unprofessional business settings negatively affecting meetings.  The size, layout and quality of the A/V equipment of the conference room now allows us to host annual company-wide in-person meetings as well. Every October we bring our entire staff in from around the country for weeklong meetings and the conference room comfortably allows us to host 20+ people.  The setting also allows us to host on-site meetings with key accounts.  Clients appreciate being able to combine a business trip with bringing their family to enjoy a few extra days to experience all Door County has to offer.

Jeff Bruemmer

Physical Plant

Jeff Bruemmer joined DCEDC in July of 2001. Jeff is responsible for maintaining the DCEDC Business Center, located at 185 East Walnut Street in Sturgeon Bay. Jeff was born and raised in Kewaunee and moved to Sturgeon Bay in 1985.

KATHY LASEE

Accounting and Operations Coordinator

Kathy Lasee is responsible for the organization’s financial operations, as well as the operations of the Business Development Center in Sturgeon Bay. A Door County native, Lasee graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Lasee is a charter member of the Peninsula Symphonic Band and previously worked as a music teaching assistant for the Sturgeon Bay School District. Prior to joining DCEDC in October of 2023, Lasee was the Office Manager of Kevin’s Automotive in Sturgeon Bay. During her professional career, she also worked in the loan office at Baylake Bank (now Nicolet National Bank) in Sturgeon Bay.

DEVIN VANDERTIE

Director of Business Development

Devin Vandertie enjoys working with entrepreneurs and businesses to help foster economic growth in Door County. She is also passionate about helping nurture the next generation of the community’s workforce. Devin has recently earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is involved with Leadership Door County, which brings together professionals from diverse business sectors who are inspired to make a positive impact on the quality of life in Door County. A Door County native, Vandertie cares deeply about cultivating a community that is not only a desirable destination, but also an exceptional place to live and to work. In addition to her recent achievement of a master’s degree, Devin is a graduate of Southern Door High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Prior to joining the DCEDC staff in October of 2023, Vandertie was the Laboratory Assistant Supervisor at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.

Michelle Lawrie

Executive Director

Michelle Lawrie has more than twenty years of experience in economic development at regional and local levels. Michelle’s career in Washington, D.C., Arizona and Wisconsin has focused on serving the public interest through economic development, issue advocacy and coalition-building. Michelle began her economic development career at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), in Phoenix, Arizona. After serving in several roles at GPEC, Michelle became the President and CEO of the Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC) in western Maricopa County, Arizona. Michelle later also served as Economic Development / Community Development Director for the communities of Goodyear, Arizona and DeForest, Wisconsin. Michelle has extensive experience working in development of strategies and performance measures for communities and organizations, as well as leading teams toward achieving goals desired by communities, businesses and residents. Michelle is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.