Last month, celebrated poet and author Mark Turcotte was named the sixth Poet Laureate of Illinois, joining the ranks of literary icons like Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn Brooks. Even early in his career, Turcotte’s powerful voice was drawing attention, particularly through his books Road Noise (1998) and Exploding Chippewas (2002) – works he published during his decade living in Door County. In this conversation, Debra Fitzgerald speaks with Mark about his journey from the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation in North Dakota to his current role as Poet Laureate. They also reminisce about his years in Door County. 

Mark Turcotte Named Illinois Poet Laureate

It will probably come as no surprise to anyone that Door County’s robust music scene includes world-class chamber music. Allyson Fleck, executive director of Midsummer’s Music, and a talented violist herself, talks with Debra Fitzgerald about the organization’s roots, its mission, what chamber music means and the musicians who bring their music to the Door County community. Stay tuned: she also brought along her viola and plays a short piece by Bach.

Midsummer’s Music With Allyson Fleck

Fair representation is fundamental to Democracy in the United States. In Wisconsin, the way voting districts are drawn has long been a source of controversy and debate. But a dedicated group of advocates is working to change that. Debra Fitzgerald sits down with Nicole Gabrail and iuscely Flores, both with the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition about the organization’s nonpartisan movement to create transparent, impartial maps through an Independent Redistricting Commission. Their mission is simple: to ensure that every vote counts equally and that voters choose their representatives, not the other way around. 

Fair Maps For All

The Door County Pulse Podcast is dedicated to bringing you the news and stories of Door County, Wisconsin.
Hosted by Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Debra Fitzgerald, the podcast brings you interviews with artists, musicians, and business owners who make Door County what it is, hear from journalists from the Peninsula Pulse, and catch up on the news that's shaping our community. 

For Door County news, events and more stories visit www.doorcountypulse.com

Fair Maps For All

Door County Pulse Podcast

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