Recycling activities are an important source of income for the Southern Door Education Foundation and, ultimately, Southern Door School. It is an easy way to support education and doesn't cost a dime to participate, because everything that is collected would otherwise end up as trash.

SDEF collects milk caps, old cell phones, Econo Foods receipts, Box Tops For Education, used printer cartridges, soda can tabs and Labels For Education (with UPC intact) from Campbell's brands. Pick 'n' Save receipts are not collected; shoppers can enter Southern Door's code, 721200, with their saver card and earn donations every time they shop.

Collecting in our home involves keeping two small containers near our kitchen sink. Having the kids sort and count is a great math activity and teaches them the value of recycling as well.

Send the items with any student to be placed in the collection barrel outside the elementary office, or stop in and drop the items in the bins when you can.

Sorting through the collected items is a big task, and Brenda Shimon's seventh- and eighth-grade community service team has taken on the sorting, separating, clipping and bundling of items. It is an activity the 14 students try to do about once every two weeks.

"We are trying to keep on top of it now, rather than to have a big lot to do on a day or two," said Shimon.

Community service teams take on a variety of projects, and Shimon's team chose the project because it directly benefits the school. It also teaches a great lesson.

"It is one of the most valuable lessons we as a society can teach our kids is that you don't always get something out of doing something for someone else," said Shimon. But the students' efforts do impact the school in a big way.

Through the SDEF, scholarships have been provided for students to participate in the Missoula Children's Theater, gifted and talented programs and summer camps; annual continuing education scholarships are awarded; the young ambassadors program is supported; and new teachers receive startup funds for purchasing classroom materials, plus more.

Snip the appropriate labeled piece, rinse milk caps and be a part of earning cash for the school. Every 5 or 10 cents adds up quickly when more individuals and families help out the recycling effort, so be sure to ask your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to start collecting.

Craft show

The 29th annual craft show at Southern Door, sponsored by the Southern Door Athletic Booster Club, will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2, which enters each person into the door prize drawing, held every half hour. Food and beverages served all day at the event. There is still room for crafters. For information, contact Dean and Linda Tebon at (920) 825-7330.

Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Quietwoods South Camping Resort in Brussels. This year's attraction includes a Haunted Trail, a new miniature Corn Maze of Madness, a Haunted Bus Ride and the main attraction, the Haunted Mansion.

General admission is $10. A special "lights up" time for younger children is offered from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday and includes a bag of treats. Lights-up admission is $6. All proceeds from the Haunted Mansion benefit the Southern Door Community Auditorium.

This is the final weekend for the Haunted Mansion.

Learn to dance

Have you always wanted to learn ballroom dancing? If so, the Family Centers of Door County has an event just for you: A Night Under the Stars, Ballroom Dance and Evening Social for Couples and Singles at the Music and Arts School, 606 N. 12th Ave., Sturgeon Bay.

The night begins at 7 p.m. with appetizers, beverages and entertainment by musicians Rick Gordon and Mick Maloney, otherwise known as "The Elderly Brothers." Then, at 8 p.m., dance instructor Cheryl Hoffman will teach easy ballroom dance steps, followed by a dance and a social until 10 p.m. The cost to attend is $15 per person.

Reservations are required. Call the Family Centers main office at (920) 825-1430 to make reservations.

Contact Parks at (920) 825-1104; pamelap@centurytel.net; or 1126 Brussels Road, Brussels, WI 54204.