The Family Centers of Door County staff welcomes new staff member Shannon Finger. Finger will collaborate with coordinator Justine Mancheski for programs in Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay and will co-facilitate the STAR Parent Group.

The STAR Parent Group, which assists parents or caregivers of children ages 5 or younger with building parenting skills, meets from 9 to 10:30 a.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Bay. Upcoming discussions will include: Tuesday — "Giving Thanks for Little Things," showing appreciation to your children for who they are; Dec. 1 — "Sweeten Your Stress Load," strategies for handling holiday stress; Dec. 15 — "Give Your Family the Gift of Safety," keeping your child safe at you home and the homes you may visit during the holidays.

Finger also will be involved in other Southern Door programs, such as the monthly Breakfast Social for Older Adults, Grammas' Mittens, Family Movie Nights and the upcoming Children's Christmas Store on Dec. 12.

Shannon may be reached at (920) 825-1430.

'Meet Me in St. Louis'

The Southern Door High School musical, "Meet Me in St. Louis," is under way this weekend. Catch the show at the Southern Door Community Auditorium at 7:30 tonight or at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for students younger than 18, and are available at the door.

Deer processing

Hunters are busy preparing for the upcoming deer hunt. Deer processing will be taking place in Brussels, courtesy of Mark Marchant, at Buhr Construction, County DK, Brussels. Drop off deer by 8 p.m.

Marchant will skin, cut and wrap the venison for $60, and complete processing into sausage and such is available upon request. Deer also can be dropped off at Marchants Meats and Sausage, 51 Green Bay Road in Sturgeon Bay, by 5:30 p.m., or call ahead at (920) 743-1200. For information, contact Marchant at (920) 495-7013.

United Way campaign

Don't forget to make your contribution to the United Way of Door County's annual campaign. Keep tabs on the campaign's progress with the cutout figure in front of Baylake Bank in Brussels. The new Live United signs replace the old thermometers, and instead of measuring dollars raised, they will display the number of people in Door County who will be helped through United Way of Door County funding in 2010.

Kettle campaign

The Salvation Army wants to partner with a Brussels business as part of its annual kettle campaign. Small, countertop kettles are available to help with the Kettle Campaign, which is going on now through Dec. 20. Any business interested in hosting a counter kettle can contact Tom Mulinix at (920) 743-8096.

The Salvation Army also is looking to fill two-hour Friday and Saturday shifts for bell ringers in Door County. To sign up, contact Nancy Kexel-Calabresa at (920) 421-0728.

Tax-deductible contributions to the Red Kettle campaign can be made to "The Salvation Army." Send to Nancy Ditewig, c/o Baylake Bank, P.O. Box 9, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.

Make gingerbread houses

The Family Centers of Door County also is offering a gingerbread house-making event at 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at the YMCA, 1900 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay. Parents and children will work together to assemble and decorate a gingerbread house. Bring your own board or cookie sheet; everything else is provided. Advance registration is required by Dec. 4. The cost for this event is $5 per house. Register by calling the Family Centers office at (920) 825-1340.

Tractor, toy show

Southern Door FFA Alumni's fourth annual tractor and toy show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Southern Door High School gym, 2073 County DK, Brussels. Admission to the show for ages 11 and up is $3 each. Children ages 10 and younger get in free.

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