The Door County Medical Center (DCMC) Auxiliary will host its 62nd annual House & Garden Walk on Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 from 9am to 5pm. This long-standing event features volunteer-led tours of some of Door County's most spectacular, unique and historic homes and gardens and is open to the public.

This year's House & Garden Walk features 5 homes:

Sawyer Harbor Lookout at 4441 Bay Shore Drive, Sturgeon Bay

A contemporary style home overlooking the waters of Sturgeon Bay and Sawyer Harbor with breath-taking views. The home was designed by Mitch Wise Design, Inc. and completed in 2019 by DeLeers Construction, Inc. The modern design includes floor to ceiling windows, an open concept with a seamless floor plan and a three-story staircase. (Featured artists: David LaMela, Robert Soukup and Jenni Bateman; Featured florist: Doors Fleurs and Orchard)

Woodwalk Gallery & Home at 6746 County Road G, Egg Harbor

The Woodwalk Gallery property, set on ten acres, features a 2.5 story, 2,200 square-foot Cream City brick house and a dairy barn, both built around 1908. Many original features remain. The gardens are home to many perennials, while the meadows showcase various wildflowers. The gallery exhibits work of approximately 95 artists and hosts various gatherings. (Featured artist:  Tom Linden; Featured florist: Flora Flower Shop)

Lake Michigan Contemporary at 3884 Glidden Drive, Sturgeon Bay

Lake Michigan Contemporary is a 3,400 square foot home where nature is invited indoors. Walls of ten-foot glass allow unobstructed views to the waters of Lake Michigan. The home is a contemporary “reinterpretation” of the site's predecessor and showcases collaborative efforts of Mitch Wise, the designer, DeLeers Construction, Inc. the builder, subcontractors and homeowner. (Featured artist: Lauretta Kelley; Featured florist: One Eighty Petals)

The DCMC Auxiliary's Largest Fundraiser

The Door County House & Garden Walk is the major fundraiser for the Door County Medical Center Auxiliary. Over the past 61 years, the Auxiliary has helped fund an educational conference center, dental clinic, inpatient services, the purchase of medical equipment and an emergency room addition. Proceeds from the 2022 House & Garden walk enabled the Auxiliary to complete its $250,000 commitment to the Pete & Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing Facility.

Proceeds from this year's House & Garden Walk will be directed to the Door County Medical Center's Behavioral Health Program.

Why Behavioral Health?

"Access to behavioral health services in our community is a significant issue," Door County Medical Center's (DCMC's) Behavioral Health Coordinator, Barb Johnson-Giese, said. "In Door County, the ratio of population to mental health providers is 715:1. The ratio in the state of WI is currently 440:1, which ranks 34th in the nation."

Depression, anxiety and drug and alcohol abuse have risen astronomically in all age groups, but especially among children, young adults and senior citizens. Providing high-quality behavioral health treatment is something medical centers across the country struggle with. Fortunately, for Door County residents, DCMC has been quick to identify the array of challenges that often leave patients and practitioners alike distraught.

To combat this, DCMC has put together a comprehensive strategy to strengthen and expand the Behavioral Health Program that entails the following:

• strengthening base support through expanded behavioral health services to all school districts in Door County and Algoma;

• providing at least one full-time behavioral health provider in each clinic location with dedicated space;

• expanding Senior Life Solutions;

• expanding Substance Use Disorder services;

• increasing availability of psychiatric and psychological services by hiring full-time psychologists and psychiatrists and establishing a tele-psychiatry program in the emergency department, and

• increasing the acceptance of behavioral health treatment with an extensive public relations campaign.

The Door County Medical Center Foundation has pledged to help make this plan a reality with a goal to raise $3 million.

If you aren't able to participate in The House & Garden Walk on July 25th you can still help move this mission forward by donating online at https://www.dcmedical.org/foundation/behavioral-health-program.

House & Garden Walk - The Logistics

Tickets are available online now or for purchase (check or cash only) at outlets beginning July 1st for $40 until the day of the event and $45 on the day of the event at the following locations:

• Door County Coffee & Tea Co
• Destination Door County
• Jerry's Flowers
• BLISS at The Marketplace
• Island Fever, Jacksonport
• Main Street Market
• Door County Medical Center Gift Shop
• Nicolet Bank, Sturgeon Bay (Main Branch)
• Nicolet Bank, Luxemburg
• Nicolet Bank, Kewaunee

Here are some tips to make your experience more pleasant:

• Begin at any of the featured attractions listed. If one is too busy, start at another.
• At the first home you visit, you will receive an Event Booklet and a wristband that will be used as admission to the remaining homes on the walk.
• You'll be asked to wear booties over your shoes to protect the homes. Please keep your booties and use them throughout the day.
• Pictures cannot be taken inside the homes.
• Hosts welcome your questions. Please ask!

For more information about this year's House and Garden Walk, visit us online at www.doorcountyhouseandgardenwalk.com.