Winter Tumten, Brigitte Kozma

Tumten, the earliest settlers of Door County are seldom seen nowadays, but that does not mean that they are not present and very active, especially on "Vinter Helgdag", the winter celebration. They gather at Eagle Cave, Ephraim before the full moon of the new year to prepare for the winter competition and activities on Horseshoe Island. The Tumtens' naturally shy nature and dislike of noise and tumult are quickly forgotten during the happy winter season celebration. Sometimes you can hear their merriment on the night of the first full moon in January. Because they are so quiet and quick, they are almost never seen, and the only evidence we have oof the Vinter Helgdag, are the animal tracks they leave to fool us. But the truly wise people in Door County know that the Tumten have been here again!