“Home for the Holidays”
Tuesday, November 23, 1 p.m. (Comedy/Drama/Romance)1 hour, 43 minutes; Rated PG-13 (1995)
A requested film for the Thanksgiving season. A forty-year old single woman flies home to spend Thanksgiving with her wild, wacky, dysfunctional family. Starring Holly Hunter, Anne Bancroft, Robert Downey, Jr., Charles Durning, Dylan McDermott, and Geraldine Chaplin. Directed by Jodie Foster.
Kenneth Kayser, 84, passed away November 18th at home in Whitewater with his wife, Barb, by his side. He was born February 24th, 1937, in West Allis, Wisconsin to Norman and Roberta (Marshall) Kayser.
Kenneth married the love of his life, Barbara (Boyd), in 1976. Together, they traveled and, in retirement, enjoyed winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Ken was self-employed most of his career, retiring from and selling J&K Wholesale Meats. He was a kind and gentle Christian man who enjoyed his family and many lifelong friends. His nickname was “Coach,” as he loved sports and played softball, baseball, basketball, and tennis. He enjoyed watching sports too and cheering on the Badgers, Brewers and Green Bay Packers.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barb; brothers Robert (Carole), Roger (Helen), David (Sharon); and sister, Norma Jean Prucha (Bill); as well as many nieces and nephews. He loved them all. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Caroline.
No service is planned at this time. At a later date, family and friends will gather to celebrate Ken’s life.
Memorials may be made to Agrace Hospice, whose staff provided amazing and compassionate care.
Whitewater skyline changes. UWW chimney gone.
Steve Watson writes, “August 17th while on my daily bike ride, I noticed some framework on top of the chimney, at the UWW power/heating plant. Then on the 25th I saw the platform, and discovered the chimney was being removed. The heating plant construction began in 1962 and came online in 1964. It used coal fired boilers and needed a tall chimney to remove the smoke. It was 174 or maybe 180 feet tall.
I remember when it was being built. On the Fourth of July a large flag would be hanging up there. Then at Christmas a lighted tree.
The chimney was in use till 1997, when UWW started getting steam supplied from the new power plant on County trunk U. Then UWW updated the plant to natural gas, so
a tall chimney is no longer needed. After 57 years, tear down began. The crews removed about 6 feet per day by pushing it down inside the chimney. A clean out opening at the base allowed them to put it in a dumpster and hauled away.
Our thanks to Steve Watson for these very interesting time sequence photos.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage. Thanks for thinking about this!
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Last year a reader shared this suggestion with the Banner:
“I am writing to offer an idea for you to consider for the future Mid-November issues of the Banner. Every year when I return to my hometown to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, I am always excited to grab the Clark County Press off the coffee table and pull out the Hunters’ Guide. This Seasonal sectional to the paper showcases the past year’s hunters and fishers and their success participating in our wonderful outdoor Wisconsin traditions. A first time hunter with their first deer, a young angler catching their first fish, a family group picture of “buck camp” or “fishing trip,” seasoned veterans landing a big musky, black bear, or whitetail buck…it is always exciting to see friends, family, and neighbors enjoying our great outdoors with family, and inspiring the next generation of Wisconsin Outdoorsmen. The success isn’t always in or near my hometown either. Many former members of town (myself included) have sent back photos and stories to share. I hope you will give the idea some thought and maybe help inspire some of our citizens to get outdoors and join in our wonderfully unique fall traditions!”
Last year’s response to this feature was “underwhelming,” but we’re happy to try the idea again, so we encourage sportspeople to submit photos and/or stories related to your 2021 outdoor experiences. Although some of the stories will likely be featured in our “news” area, most will probably be found in the “sports” section. In particular we will not be featuring photos on our homepage that some non-hunters/fishers may prefer not to see. Let the boasting begin! Send your submissions to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks.
(Whitewater Lions Club submission) Again this year the Whitewater Lions Club, along with many other Lions Clubs throughout Wisconsin, is collecting deer hides. The deer hides are collected during the deer hunting season and then delivered to the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Camp offers an opportunity for children and adults with disabilities to experience real camp life with peers growing up with similar challenges. Each year thousands of deer hides are collected and sold to help fund the many aspects of providing free camping for hundreds of kids from throughout the State.
The Whitewater Lions Club has collection points at their clubhouse located on Whitewater Lake at N7462 Kettle Moraine Drive and at the residence of Lion Steve Malone at 6636 Sturtevant Rd.
Patrick Cromwell, age 50, passed away on Monday, November 15, 2021, at Fort Memorial Hospital surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Waukesha on August 27, 1971, the son of Carol Cromwell. He graduated from Illinois Valley High School.
Patrick is survived by his “Old Lady,” Amanda Pete; 6 children: Curtis Schlotzhauer, Seaira Blackstone, Carina Cromwell, Calila Cromwell, Tristin Pete, and Riley Pete; 4 granddaughters: Jessica, Aura, Sabina, and Sophia; brother, Terry Cromwell; many nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother; brother, Tim Cromwell; and uncles: Clark Cromwell, Dean Cromwell, and Jerry Cromwell.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY. A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the FUNERAL HOME. “Regulators Mount Up.” For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com.
By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The City of Whitewater’s revitalization plan for its two downtown lakes may need to be re-examined due to higher-than-expected dredging bids presented to the Whitewater Common Council on November 16.
Both Cravath and Trippe lakes have experienced excess growth of unwanted plant species over the years along with a reduction in lake depth due primarily to silt infiltration. The 70 acre Cravath Lake east of Whitewater’s City Hall and the east side Trippe Lake (121 acres) were scheduled for dredging as part of a revitalization effort estimated to cost less than $1.5 million. Both lakes, at one time, were deeper and cleaner with a swimming beach on Trippe Lake and rented paddle boats and water ski shows featured at Cravath Lake.
City Parks and Recreation Director Eric Boettcher told the Common Council that the two bids on the dredging project both exceeded the budgeted dollar estimate. One bid was just under $2.5 million and another just over $3.8 million.
The council voted to reject both bids and begin negotiations with a contractor of staff’s choosing for options that could accommodate the project’s budget. Options generated at the Common Council level included just dredging one lake, estimating how much dredging could be done under the proposed budget, doing some dredging in future years, and getting the firms that showed interest in the project to spend more time examining the lakes.
City resident Geoff Hale, who accompanied representatives of proposed bidders and city staff as they reviewed the lakes and the proposed area where the dredged material would go, commented that bidding firm representatives did not even walk any of the lakes area. Parks and Recreation Director Boettcher pointed out that the site review took place right after a 2.5 inch rainfall and an exceptionally wet period which might have indicated more of an obstacle to the project than normal.
The November 16 Common Council meeting also included an initial rejection of a proposed future commitment of $3 million of city funds to a library remodeling and expansion project for the City’s Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. The total project is expected to cost just over $5 million with the Library Board of Trustees committed to providing the remaining over $2 million.
While City staff and members of the Common Council expressed support for the project, they were concerned with the cost estimates. Library Director Stacey Lunsford explained that a fundraising campaign will begin next year and that a firm commitment of funds from the City would make fundraising less difficult. Library Board of Trustees President Anne Hartwick said that they have been working with five similar sized communities who have successfully raised funding for a library project and pointed out that all but one of those projects obtained a commitment of city funds in advance of fundraising. Hartwick also argued that using a standard cost per square foot estimate to compare the project’s cost with other building projects would be deceiving as the project includes only roughly 7,000 square feet of new construction with significant remodeling of the remaining nearly 12,000 square feet of the existing structure which was built in 1993.
In other business the Common Council approved a 2022 city operating budget of just over $10 million and independent Wastewater Utility, Water Utility and Stormwater Utility budgets that totaled over $15 million. This adopted budget included an estimate of city expenses for 2023 which can be amended by future Common Council action.
The City Budget Public Hearing presentation included an analysis that indicated that last year’s city residential property rate was the second lowest among nine area communities and cautioned that changes in how Fire and Emergency Medical Services are funded in the future may require a significant increase in the 2022 city tax levy. There were no public comments offered during the hearing.
Common Council members also heard an announcement by Council President and long-time council member Lynn Binnie that he will not be seeking re-election in April. Binnie represents the city’s 4th District which includes much of the city’s southwest neighborhoods. Binnie was first elected in 2008 and has served as Common Council President since 2020.
On Tuesday, November 23, there will be a halftime ceremony during the Whitewater High School Varsity Girls’ Basketball Game to recognize former Whippet Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Judy Harms. Judy was recently inducted into the WBCA Hall of Fame.
There will also be cake and refreshments served after the game in the MPR at the high school. We’d love to see as many of her former players, coaches, and supporters there as possible. Come on out, support this year’s Whippets, and reminisce with Judy about all the great memories she made here at WHS!
Article Submitted by Justin Crandall
Whitewater High School Athletic Director
jcrandall@wwusd.org
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on November 16 published school and district “accountability report cards” for the 2020-21 school year. Per DPI, the department is required by federal and state law to annually published accountability reports, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reports were suspended for the 2019-20 school year. In releasing this year’s reports, DPI stated that it “urges using caution when interpreting scores and ratings” due to the pandemic.
Report cards range from five stars, denoting schools and districts that significantly exceed expectations, to one star for those that fail to meet expectations. Of the 421 school districts that received report cards, 399 (95%) at least met expectations, and Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) “met expectations.” Lakeview and Washington Elementary Schools “exceeded expectations,” receiving 4 stars, while the Middle School met “few expectations,” receiving 2 stars. Lincoln Elementary and the High School “met expectations.” 87% of the schools in the state that were ranked scored at least as meeting expectations.
Scores are calculated in four priority areas: achievement; growth; target group outcomes; and on-track to graduation. Per DPI, “By law, the larger the percentage of a school or district’s students who are economically disadvantaged, the more the growth measure contributes to its overall score. This allows schools and districts to be rewarded for advancing students’ progress regardless of their starting level.” The report cards shows WUSD as having 50.3% economically disadvantaged students.
Complete report cards for WUSD and its schools may be found here (click on green box and choose “Whitewater Unified” under “District.”)
District Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty provided the Banner with the following statement regarding the report cards, “In line with 95% of Wisconsin ranked schools, Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD), district report card received an overall accountability rating of ‘Meets Expectations.’ This is due to the exceptionally hard work our students and staff committed to, through a pandemic. From here, we will continue to push upwards and forward to meet the needs of our students. We have increased academic intervention services, are completing a program review of our language programs, have initiated birth-5 ‘Partners In Play’ programming with UWW and have been ranked by US News and World Reports as having the best elementary schools in the state of Wisconsin.” (The Banner article regarding “Best Elementary Schools” may be found here.)
The following measures are shown on the WUSD and individual school report cards.
| Measure | WUSD | Lake | Linc | Wash | Middle | High | K-12 state |
| Overall score | 62.8 *** | 75.0 **** | 61.1 *** | 80.1 **** | 55.3 ** | 67.9 *** | |
| Achievement | 58.0 | 81.9 | 54.6 | 73.1 | 52.7 | 53.9 | |
| Eng/Lang Arts | 59.7 | 78.4 | 53.9 | 72.0 | 56.8 | 55.7 | 61.4 |
| Math | 56.3 | 85.4 | 55.3 | 74.2 | 48.5 | 52.0 | 59.4 |
| Growth | 57.5 | 58.4 | 51.8 | 77.4 | 47.0 | 68.9 | |
| Eng/Lang Arts | 52.7 | 50.8 | 43.2 | 66.0 | 48.9 | 62.2 | 66.0 |
| Math | 62.2 | 66.0 | 60.3 | 88.8 | 45.1 | 75.5 | 66.0 |
| Target Group Outcomes | 50.9 | N/A | 54.2 | N/A | 40.2 | 57.8 | |
| Achievement | 19.9 | 22.0 | 14.4 | 13.9 | |||
| Growth | 55.6 | 53.7 | 44.2 | 67.0 | |||
| Chronic Absenteeism | 82.3 | 92.1 | 82.6 | 75.8 | |||
| Graduation | 89.8 | 92.0 | |||||
| Attendance | 95.7 | 94.5 | |||||
| On-Track to Graduation | 85.0 | 92.1 | 85.5 | 91.2 | 84.0 | 90.8 | |
| Chronic absenteeism | 90.0 | 93.8 | 91.0 | 95.0 | 90.4 | 85.2 | 87.0 |
| Graduation | 94.1 | 91.5 | |||||
| School wide attendance | 95.2 | 95.5 | 96.3 | 96.0 | 95.0 | ||
| 3rd grade Eng/Lang Arts | 67.0 | 82.4 | 54.3 | 73.6 | 58.9 | ||
| 8th grade Math | 47.0 | 47.3 | 55.3 |
DPI describes the four scores as follows:
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area.
The League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area invites the public to attend a virtual presentation, “Practical Climate Change Solutions for a Better Future,” on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. with Dr. John Frye, Associate Professor of Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.
Using a simulation model, Dr. Frye will illustrate how creating changes to our current policies can profoundly shape our world. The goal of this presentation will be to slow the warming of our planet to below 2°C by the end of the century. Discussion will include how these proposed changes may be achieved on both the global and local scales.
This event will be virtual. To attend live, please join the webinar by using the URL: https://bit.ly/lwv-ww_climate Or, join us by telephone: Dial (312) 626-6799, Webinar ID: 851 9285 5916, Passcode: 447960. The event will also be livestreamed on the LWV-WW Facebook page (facebook.com/lwvwhitewater.org), as well as recorded and made available to the public afterwards.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
The image on the homepage, “global warm” by herae30 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.