Month: November 2018

Employees of Golden State Foods Donate 80 Winter Jackets to WUSD Students

Every year WUSD is the recipient of many generous donations from community organizations, whether it is donated time serving the District and/or resources. Each year the employees of Golden State Foods raise funds to donate winter jackets for our students. Last week we received 80 jackets for our students and they have already been handed out. Thank you to the employees of Golden State Foods for your donation. Our students, families, and staff greatly appreciate your donation and your support.

Congratulations to Karen Kachel, recognized as the Teachers on Call Substitute of the Month for September in the Wisconsin region. Karen is recognized for her commitment to WUSD by subbing nearly every day, having excellent attendance, and receiving consistent five-star ratings. We are fortunate to have outstanding substitutes like Karen! #TheWhippetWay

2012 WHS Graduate – Aaron Brunner awarded a patent

Aaron Brunner was just awarded his first patent for work he did at Spectrum Brands between his junior and senior year in college. The patent is a redesign of a hand-mixer blade. When given an opportunity to do some 3-D modeling with his work team at Spectrum Brands, Aaron suggested to his work team the concept of creating a helical blade. Some models were developed, which led to the patent. The redesign changed how the mixer redistributes the batter by funneling the batter up the blades instead of only circulating the batter on the horizontal plane. Aaron currently works for Milwaukee Forge. Aaron attributes his interest in engineering from his learning experiences at Whitewater High School. He credits    Mr. Tony Tautges, WHS physics teacher, for showing him how science can be applied to everyday life. What’s next? Aaron believes the mixer will go into production but no release date is scheduled. Aaron is the son of Whitewater residents Kevin and Nancy Brunner.

The 8th annual Run for Treyton Kilar was held on October 14, 2018, in Whitewater, WI. Treyton Kilar was killed by a drunk driver on the night of September 2, 2010.

From Treyton’s mother, Mary Kilar, “Destructive decisions can and do injure and kill. Each day gives us hope that we can send a message of making this world just a little safer – Treyton would have wanted that for all of us. And to any and all who have experienced tragedy at the hands of destructive decisions. This run honors you. It happens far too often and we all can work for change. Today is to honor that in all our lives.”

Well over 200 adults and children participated in the family-friendly event that included a family (and pet) 5K walk/run, child obstacle course and bouncy houses, food, face paint, and fun.

The money raised from this event supports maintaining the youth sized professional baseball field in Whitewater built for kids to love the game. In addition, educational scholarships are given to support local seniors who have made great choices and wish to continue their education.

The Kilar family wishes to thank the run/walk coordinators Molly and Dan Fuller along with all who came out in support of this event that honors Treyton and good decisions that can better our world.

From Downtown Whitewater, Inc.:

Happy November! We hope it comes as no surprise that we at Downtown Whitewater, Inc are passionate about small businesses. Knowing that, we also think that supporting small businesses should be much bigger than just one Saturday in November. If you make a purchase at any small business ($25 dollars or more) in Whitewater from November 1 through the 24, bring your receipt into the Discover Whitewater office located at 150 W Main Street and fill out our raffle form (Please attach your receipt or a copy of the receipt).

At 5 pm on November 24, we will draw one winner to receive $500 cash. We also have instructions on our website if you can’t come by the office during business hours!

For more information, 

The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG) will be making an assessment and examine all aspects of the Whitewater Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operation, and support service. The assessment will take place Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

Verification by the WILEAG team is necessary for the Whitewater Police Department to meet the Board’s state-of-the-art standards as part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation.

“This is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Chief Aaron Raap said.

The public can provide comments to the assessment team by calling (262) 473-0109 on Wednesday, November 14 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with WILEAG’s standards.

Individuals can offer written comments about the Whitewater Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation and send them to Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, WILEAG at WILEAG at P.O. Box 528, Hartland, WI 53029.

“The Whitewater Police Department must comply with 233 standards in order to gain accredited status,” said Raap. “The achievement and subsequent maintaining of accredited status is truly a landmark accomplishment for our department. It vividly represents our commitment to providing the highest quality law enforcement services possible and is one important aspect of our commitment to organizational excellence.”

“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies,” said Captain Dan Meyer, Accreditation Manager for the Whitewater Police Department. “The assessors will review written material, interview individuals and visit offices and the places where compliance can be witnessed.”

Assessors for Whitewater will be Captain Jill Kallay (Team Leader), Sergeant Brian Vaughn, and Officer Michelle Preisler. “After completion of the WILEAG Board’s review of the agency, they report back to the full Board which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status,” Meyer stated.

Accreditation status is granted for three years during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, citizens can email executive.director@wileag.info or write to WILEAG, P.O. Box 528, Hartland, WI 53029

A copy of the standards is available at the Whitewater Police Department.

Citizens can contact Captain Dan Meyer at (262) 473-1371 for further information.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) Board of Directors welcomed Robert Mertens back to the board of directors as well as new member Jason Miklik, bid farewell to Linda Long and Everett Long, shared the successes in 2018, and announced the 2019 Public Art Project “Portal to the Past, Portal to the Future.”

Linda Long, who has been president or co-president for the last four years and involved in the WAA for 10 years, received many accolades for her work as President and then Co-President of the Whitewater Arts Alliance.  Board member Christine Hayes commented on how much the board appreciated Linda’s hard work, enthusiastic support of the arts in Whitewater, and her can-do attitude.  The Board also recognized both Mary Kenne and Marjorie Stoneman for their tireless work for the WAA.  Mary has coordinated the docents and scheduling, while Marjorie has handled the group’s publicity.  The Board also thanked Everett Long for his six years of service on the board.

The WAA announced its public art project for 2019 as “Portal to the Past, Portal to the Future.”  Artists will decorate plywood boards that will hang on the light posts in the downtown area during the summer.  Artists can choose a person, place or thing of past significance to the history of Whitewater or a vision of what they see in the future for Whitewater.  Sponsorships of the artwork again this year will make it possible for artists to participate without any cost to them.

Local historian, Carol Cartwright, will be making a presentation on interesting facts and photos of Whitewater history to help spark the imagination of the artists.

The plywood boards, along with the entry forms and instructions, are available now at the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Art Center (CAC).  The CAC is at 402 W. Main Street.  Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.  Forms can also be downloaded online at the WAA website www.whitewaterarts.org.  For more information, contact Linda Long at lcubed12@gmail.com or 262-473-5538 or Mary Nevicosi at marynevicosi@yahoo.com  or 608-883-2000.

2018 at the Cultural Arts Center was a success, with a Quilt Show, a Portrait Exhibit, a Photography Invitational, the Whitewater Unified School District Art Exhibit with Lincoln Elementary School music students performing, the Wisconsin Regional Arts Program, the Fran Achen Photography Contest, Making Magic with Mixed Media, Artrageous Birds, “Transitions” by the Whitewater Circle of Artists, and the upcoming Whitewater Arts Alliance Members Show.  Performances, demonstrations and other events included:  five Savory Sounds concerts, one major watercolor workshop, three technique demonstrations, a photography workshop, a poetry reading, dedication of the mobile “Peace and Harmony” to Jim Coburn, and the Annual Public Art Project “Windows on Whitewater.”  The Alliance has 165 members, a record for the group, with 1,650 visitors to the CAC so far this year and 650 volunteer hours recorded to date.  Also in 2018 Board Member Audra Lange reformatted and reconfigured the Whitewater Arts Alliance Website, www.whitewaterarts.org.

2019 promises to be very busy:  January the CAC will again be closed for upkeep and maintenance;  February features The Art of the Quilt; March features Janet Nelson’s art; April is about the Whitewater Unified School District art and music performances; Karolyn Alexander’s art will be the May focus; June will be the WRAP show; July will feature the 10^th Annual Fran Achen Photography Contest; August will feature Mixed Media – Part 2; September will feature “The Road Less Traveled”; October will feature the Cambridge Artists Society Exhibit, and November-December features the Annual WAA Members Show. Savory Sounds is scheduled for June 13, 20, and 27 as well as July 11 and 18.

The annual board meeting was started out with a piano performance by WHS Freshman, Sophie Walton. She also spoke of her involvement in music through her life.

Friday, November 2 at 10:30 am

Starin Park Community Center

This talk focuses on the work of a Burial Archaeologist; similar to those who do forensic anthropology. They deal with the legal and ethical aspects of what happens when burials that are historical and not of criminal interest are uncovered, usually individuals who have unmarked graves that are disturbed through construction or other types of development. The process involved in the legal and ethical treatment in the recovery and protection of these individuals and some of the new tools available to help us identify and document these people will also be covered.

Peter E Killoran, Lecturer, Depart. of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology.  He is an Anthropologist specializing in Forensic Science and Bio-archaeology.

Please register in advance if you will be attending by calling 262-473-0535.

The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay and 5K sponsors, team leaders, volunteers, and five local charities gathered for a night of celebration at Willow Brook Golf Course on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018.

“The race always has great support from the community and we’re always eager to give back,” DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight said. “This year we had excellent numbers and were able to make a larger donation!”

The DWS donated $5,500 to each of the five charities for a total of $27,500. These charities include: Working for Whitewater’s Wellness, Bethel House, Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater LEADS and J-Hawk Aquatic Club.

Each of the seven title sponsors for the DWS were given a chance to personally hand the donation and be photographed with a charity partner of their choice during the banquet.

“This is the second year I have been the Race Director and I am still filled with joy to give back to my home community,” DWS Race Director Dawson Miller said. “I have no doubt that next year will be just as good, if not better.”

A survey was posted on the DWS’s Facebook page (facebook.com/runwhitewater) for participants to voice their opinions on the 2018 race. The survey was created for the DWS team to learn what went well and what didn’t go so well on race day; this year a large majority of the respondents were extremely satisfied. The top response was made to the DWS volunteers. Eighty-nine percent of respondents reviewed the DWS volunteers as excellent and helpful on race day. Many respondents were also pleased with the challenge of the DWS course. Roughly 65 percent of respondents ranked the DWS as better than other races of similar size.

“The DWS has volunteers from all around the City and without their help the DWS wouldn’t be possible,” GWC Chairman Larry Kachel said. “The banquet is meant to honor our charity partners and thank all those that participated on race day, from runners to volunteers.” The seventh annual DWS will take place on Sunday, September 22, 2019.

For more information about the DWS contact Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662