Sturgeon Bay, Wis. (December 29, 2025) – Here we are at the beginning of a new year, and at Crossroads we are looking both forward and back. 2025 was an exciting year for us, and we are heading into a very busy January.
This month was named for the mythical Roman god of doorways and transitions—Janus—who could look both forward and back. He was depicted with two heads, one facing the past and one facing the future.
Our first Saturday Science family program, “Meet the Red Squirrel,” will feature an energetic creature that can look forward and back—and up and down—often at the same time.
Eastern red squirrels do not have two heads, but they do have eyes positioned on the sides of their heads. This gives them an extremely wide field of view, nearly (but not quite) 360 degrees. Their eyes are especially sensitive to motion, which helps them detect predators approaching from almost any direction. They also have adaptations that reduce glare in bright daylight, improving their vision in sunny conditions.
Even so, red squirrels do have a couple of blind spots: one directly in front of their noses and another on the top of their heads. This could be a problem for an animal that runs and leaps rapidly through tree branches. Fortunately, red squirrels have long facial whiskers that help them sense nearby objects and avoid collisions.
Their depth perception also is limited, so you may see them bobbing or moving their heads before making a leap. This motion helps them judge distance before jumping from tree to tree.
In contrast, we humans have eyes that face forward, giving us binocular vision. This allows us to judge depth more accurately and to see fine details plus we see colors more clearly.
Those visual skills will come in handy for people who will gather at 9:00 a.m. on January 2 for our “Start Your Year List Hike.” Whether an experienced or novice birder, everyone begins their year list this week. We invite birders to grab their binoculars, dress for the weather and spend an hour or so looking for winter birds at Crossroads.
That afternoon, families will gather for our annual Family Fun in the Lab. During these safe—but potentially messy—hands-on activities, kids will work at lab tables and where simple reactions take place will wear safety goggles to protect their precious eyes.
Ski-for-Free is underway. When snow and weather conditions allow, we lend skis, boots, poles, snowshoes (all sizes), and kicksleds to Door County residents and visitors. Equipment is available Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Please note that Ski-for-Free operates based on trail conditions and volunteer availability. For updates, check our events calendar and the ticker on our website.
Got an eye for winter beauty? We want to see it! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a snap-happy amateur, this contest is for you. Share your best original winter photo taken at Crossroads at Big Creek on or after January 1, 2024. Digital files only (JPGs welcome), with images sized between 1,000 and 4,000 pixels on the long side. Please submit photos without watermarks or identifying marks by emailing your image to info@crossroadsatbigcreek.org with the subject line “Photo Contest.”
As we look forward to a new year, we also look back with gratitude to the generous donors who have made our programs and restoration efforts possible. Happy New Year!
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