Lynn Binnie 
XYZ (Extra Years of Zest)
Invites YOU to Join Us for Food, Fellowship & Laughter!
Presented by Dr. Bob Benjamin, Physics Dept. Chair, UW-Whitewater
When: Thursday, October 19, 12 – 2 p.m.
Where: First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater
What: Lunch ($6), Fellowship, Fun
Chicken casserole, salad, desserts
Who: YOU and YOUR FRIENDS
Why? To learn about our universe!!
Call 262-473-2131 to make a reservation by October 16.
An Escape Room is Coming
Studio 84, a nonprofit art studio located in Whitewater, WI is doing a most unusual fundraiser. It’s an Escape Room with the theme of….well….what else….an art gallery! After all Studio 84 is an art studio, it seems rather fitting.
One half of Studio 84’s space will be transformed into an art gallery called Musee Gallerie 84. The director, Benjamin Kelly, will play the part of the exhibit’s curator Monsieur Claude Restes and founder Deborah Blackwell transforms into Mademoiselle Deborah Noir Bien. A curator, for those unfamiliar with the term, is an art gallery’s key person that organizes an exhibit. The curator and team are the ones who do the research, gather resources, secure the art and organize
the details of an exhibit.
Set with the theme of an art gallery, the ‘exhibit’ Life and Death Through the Artist’s Eyes will be sure to bring on chills and make you put your thinking caps on to solve the clues in order to escape this rather creepy exhibit. Director Ben Kelly states, “Since it will be during the month of October (aka Halloween month) we went with a creepy/scary/horror feeling.”
No knowledge about art or even interest in art is required to visit this gallery because it’s more about the escape than anything else. Once inside an escape room the goal is to escape as the team of ten participants are ‘locked’ inside and need to decipher clues to obtain the code that unlocks the door. All within the one-hour time period.
The Escape Room runs October 1 – 31, 2023 and tickets are now on sale. You can purchase a ticket for yourself and become part of a team of others during the same day/time. Or sign up with one friend or as a group of ten friends. Each time slot has a maximum of ten people with a minimum of five. Team members must work together to solve the clues for the code. Tickets are $30 each.
Studio 84’s founder Deborah Blackwell said, “Ben and I have been working on this for a few years now, not because it took that long, but we had plans to open in 2020 and then the pandemic hit and we had many delays afterwards as our focus was getting the Studio back to pre-pandemic operational mode again. We lost so many of our students and people just weren’t ready for such group events. We felt 2023 was the year and people were ready. So, we kicked into high gear to finish up the details of it. We are truly excited to have this come to fruition.”
All proceeds from the event will support Studio 84’s programing in the arts for people with disabilities and the community. They offer daytime studio time for all ages and all abilities. Kelly states, “We understand the needs of those with disabilities and so have a focus with them
and provide experiences that support their individual needs to help them become successful and discover their artistic, creative side, but know that you don’t have to have a disability to sign up for studio time; we are open to all ages and all abilities.”
Watch the video trailer of escape room here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRQE54Vnzv0
Order your escape room tickets by following this link.
Established in 1889, the Warhawk football team has won six national championships and 39 WIAC titles. Last year, the team finished 8-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play and reached the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
After drawing an on-campus, NCAA Division III record 20,113 fans on Saturday against UW-La Crosse, the Warhawks begin the second half of the regular season on the road this Saturday, Oct. 14, at UW-River Falls. For the full schedule, visit https://uwwsports.com/sports/football/schedule.
The following student-athlete has been named to the roster of the Warhawk football team at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the 2023 season:
53190 Whitewater, WI: Brock Grosinske, who is majoring in Finance.
From Division III Warhawk Athletics, which boasts 20 team national championships and 68 individual national championships, to its club and intramural teams, Warhawks know how to win.
Our national championship athletic programs include football, women’s gymnastics, bowling and baseball. Club sports like bowling, rugby, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, paintball and men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball bring home the trophies – and the championships (27 total) – too. In fact, the men’s club bowling team brought home their second national championship in 2021.
And our world-class Warhawk Marching Band helps all Warhawks celebrate their teams on the court and on the field with the “Warhawk Strut” and other traditions.
By Angela Kelm
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
Reedsburg, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s golf team claimed the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title for the seventh consecutive season Sunday. The Warhawks overcame a ten-stroke first round deficit to win the title by 18-strokes. Four UWW golfers claimed All-WIAC honors with their performance over the weekend. Head Coach Andrea Wieland was named the Kwik Trip Coach of the Year – her third time earning the honor in the last four seasons.
UW-Whitewater registered the top team total the final two rounds of the WIAC Championship held at the Reedsburg Country Club. The Warhawks posted a 334 Friday followed by a tournament-best 310 in round two and capped by a 315 Sunday.
Kallie Lux (Janesville, Wis./Craig) led the Warhawks with a total of 229 (83-72-74) to finish as the conference runner-up. Lily Sheppard (Sherwood, Wis./Kaukauna) was third on the individual leaderboard with a total of 239 (81-79-79) and Ellie Johnson (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) finished sixth with a card of 242 (85-77-80). Lux and Sheppard claimed First Team All-WIAC honors while Johnson secured Second Team recognition.
Kellie Shanahan’s (Wauconda, Ill./Mundelein) 253 (89-82-82) and Abbie Reiser’s (Washington, Ill./Washington Community) 259 (85-88-86) were top 25 individual scores on the weekend and wrapped up the Warhawks’ scoring fivesome.
Haley Myers (Somerset, Wis./Somerset) represented UW-Whitewater as an individual at the tournament and used a phenomenal final round to jump into the top 10. Myers carded rounds of 85-87-73 for a total of 245 to tie for eighth and claim Second Team All-WIAC honors.
Also competing as individuals were Emma Norton (Lanark, Ill./Eastland) (84-86-82-252), Jessica Velent (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson) (92-82-86-260), Megan Honn (LaFayette, Ind./Jefferson) (89-87-84-260), Emily Akers (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) (86-87-88-261) and Sammy Galian (New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower) (91-93-95-279).
Norton was also UW-Whitewater’s representative on the All-Sportsmanship Team.
The league title punches UW-Whitewater’s ticket into the NCAA Division III Championship slated for May 21-24, 2024, at the Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Editor’s note: The following is from history.com. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Brigitte Werner from Pixabay.
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, and Columbus Day 2023 occurs on Monday, October 9. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century, but did not become a federal holiday until 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. But throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have proposed since the 1970s including Indigenous People’s Day, now celebrated in many U.S. states and cities.
Eric Lynn Sedmak, 52, Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI.
Eric was born on November 25, 1970, in La Crosse, WI to Kenneth L. and Sharon L. (Krolski) Sedmak. He graduated from Howards Grove High School in 1989 and from Central Bible College in Springfield, MO with BA in Biblical Literature. He was ordained in 1995 with the Assembly of God Church. On June 19, 1993, he married Jacqueline S. Miller. Eric worked bi-vocationally as a computer consultant for Hollister Inc., Libertyville, IL from 1998-2007 and at Cygnus Corp in Fort Atkinson from 2008-2012 while being a senior pastor at the Whitewater Assembly of God Church. From 2012 to the present Eric was a systems analyst for SSP Innovations. Eric loved spending time at the lake house Up North, cruising on his Bennington Pontoon Boat, and gaming online with friends.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline of Whitewater; children Allison Lynn Sedmak, De Pere, WI, and Nicole Sue Sedmak, Milwaukee; parents Kenneth and Sharon Sedmak, Howards Grove, WI; siblings Brenda (Derek) Sedmak Powles, Madison, WI and Garret Preder and family, Plymouth, WI.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at the Whitewater Spanish Family Church, formerly Whitewater Family Church, 1540 W. Walworth Ave, Whitewater, WI 53190 at 5:30 p.m. with Pastor Mike Lema officiating. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.
As an expression of sympathy, you may wish to consider memorials to the Whitewater High School Drama Club or to the WHS Robotics program https://www.ferradermis.org/?page_id=2341
Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
UW-La Crosse announces summer 2023 graduates
LA CROSSE, Wis. (October 5, 2023) – The following area students completed degree requirements at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this summer.
UW-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of 13 four-year institutions in the University of Wisconsin System. UWL has more than 10,400 full- and part-time students enrolled in 101 undergraduate, 28 graduate and two doctoral academic programs.
UW-La Crosse, a top-ranked national university, is the No. 1 public university in Wisconsin with fewer than 25,000 students. See more at www.uwlax.edu.
Students earning degrees this summer include:
Whitewater, WI
Katherine Staniszewski, Bachelor of Science, General Studies Major
By Angela Kelm
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
Reedsburg, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater golf team catapulted into first place with a fantastic second round at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships at the Reedsburg Country Club Saturday.
The Warhawks cut 24 strokes off their round one score for a total of 310 Saturday to jump from third to first. The team’s total was 19 strokes better than the second-place team, UW-La Crosse, for round two. UW-Whitewater holds a 16-stroke advantage over second place heading into the final round of the conference championship. Sunday’s round has been pushed to a 9 a.m. start due to expected frost.
Kallie Lux led the way carding a 72, the second-lowest 18-hole score in program history. Her two-round total of 155 is second on the individual leaderboard. Lily Sheppard is currently tied for third after posting a 79 Saturday for a total of 160. Ellie Johnson is also among the top five with a two-round total of 162 bolstered by a round two card of 77. Kellie Shanahan (89-82-171) and Abbie Reiser (85-88-173) round out UWW’s fivesome – both are in the top 25 individually.
UW-Whitewater is also represented by a number of Warhawks competing individually including Emma Norton (T13: 84-86-170), Haley Myers (T19: 85-87-172), Emily Akers (T22: 86-87-173), Jessica Velent (T26: 92-82-174), Megan Honn (T31: 89-87-176) and Sammy Galian (T47: 91-93-184).
The winner of the WIAC Championship will receive the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Championship scheduled for May 21-24, 2024, at the Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The top 10 finishers at the conference championship will claim All-Conference honors. The Warhawks have hoisted the trophy the last six seasons.
By Angela Kelm
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater set the program and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference attendance record during Saturday’s Family Fest football game with 20,113 at Perkins Stadium. That mark also breaks the Division III record for games played on a college campus for the second consecutive season. Despite hitting the 20,000 milestone for the first time ever, the game ended in heartbreak as the #3 Warhawks fell to #14 UW-La Crosse 37-34 on a field goal as time expired.
Turnovers were key as the Eagles turned three fumble recoveries into 14 points in the game. UW-Whitewater dominated in the run game with 273 yards on the ground while UWL dominated through the air with 311 passing yards. Both offenses put up over 420 yards, but the Eagles also carried a hefty advantage in time of possession with their offense on the field for 36:46 compared to just 23:14 for the Warhawks.
UW-Whitewater put together a great drive after receiving the opening kick going 57 yards in eight plays. The final play ended in one of UWW’s four fumbles on the day as the ball was wrenched out of Tamir Thomas’ grasp at the one-yard line and recovered by La Crosse. The Eagles marched 99 yards bolstered by an 84-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead.
The Warhawks responded just four plays later as Alec Ogden scrambled out of the pocket and bolted up the field for a 43-yard touchdown run. Jeff Isotalo-McGuire’s kick made it 7-7 with over six minutes left in the first quarter.
The next drive for each team resulted in punts and UWL was driving as the game transitioned to the second quarter. The Eagles took a 10-7 lead on a 29-yard field goal from Michael Stack a little over three minutes into the period.
Following punts from each side, the Warhawks took over at their own 31. On the second play, Ogden was sacked and lost the ball with UWL recovering at the UWW23. Eagle quarterback Keyser Helterbrand from Ryan Bartol for the 23-yard strike on the next play to make it 17-7 La Crosse.
A couple more punts brought the UWW offense back on the field with just over two minutes to go before the intermission. Alijah Maher-Parr set the tone with a 29-yard scamper off the left side of the line. Ogden found Tyler Vasey for a 20-yard reception down the middle on the next play. The Ogden-Vasey connection moved the Warhawks up another 15 yards down to the Eagle five-yard line. On third-and-goal, Ogden punched it in from one-yard out to pull the Warhawks closer, 17-14, as the teams headed into the locker rooms.
The Eagles took the opening kick of the second half, but the Warhawk defense stalled their drive at the UWW37 forcing a punt. Helterbrand took the snap and opted to punt gaining a good bounce to pin UW-Whitewater at their own one-yard line. Deep in their own zone, the Warhawks went three-and-out with Kamrin Hutt punting from the back of the endzone. Despite a 43-yard boot in his first game punting, the Eagles had a short field to work with.
Operating with a two-quarterback set for most of the second half, Zach Weir took two of the next three snaps capping the drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass.
The Warhawks grabbed some momentum back after the touchback as Maher-Parr burst through the line and up the near sideline for a career-long 75-yard scoring run to make it 24-20. The extra point try sailed right of the post.
Once again, the Eagles responded, this time with a field goal from 44-yards out to extend the margin back to seven, 27-20. The next UWW drive ended in a fumble recovered by the Eagles that UWL turned into seven points to push the gap to 34-20 early in the fourth quarter.
UW-Whitewater went three-and-out on the next drive and the Warhawk defense responded in kind forcing a punt after three plays on the other side of the ball. Hutt came up big on the defensive side of special teams, bolting off the left side of the line and getting a hand on the punt to limit the yardage. UWL downed the blocked punt at their own 44 and the Warhawks capitalized on the short field.
After converting on third-and-three, Ogden found tight end Drake Martin for 15-yards. Two plays later, Ogden hit Steven Hein crossing through the end zone for the touchdown strike. UWW opted for a two-point conversion attempt that was no good to make the score 34-24 with just over eight minutes remaining.
The UW-Whitewater defense came up big once again forcing another three-and-out. Maher-Parr added to his day with another career long hauling in a 64-yard touchdown catch on the second play of the drive. This time, Ogden found Hein in the back of the end zone for a successful two-point conversion to knot the game 34-34.
Isotalo-McGuire’s kick was returned 23 yards to bring out the UWL offense at their own 27 with 5:49 on the clock. Matt Burba nearly got to Weir on the first play of the drive forcing the Eagle quarterback out of the pocket. The length of the play had an illegible player downfield to back La Crosse up five yards to their own 22. The Eagles picked up the first down and then another for a first-and-ten at the Warhawks 46. Back-to-back rushes up the middle for Helterbrand made it third-and-one. Caden Straka stuffed the UWL quarterback short of the line to gain on the next rush attempt to force a fourth down. Helterbrand was able to push through the line for a three-yard gain on the next play to give the Eagles a new set up downs with just nine seconds remaining.
The Eagles moved the ball up a single yard on the next play before calling timeout with three seconds left to send their field goal unit onto the field. Stack converted from 51-yards out as time expired to seal the game for UWL.
Maher-Parr posted 113 yards on seven carries – an average of 16.1 yards per rush – to lead the Warhawk ground game. Ogden was 10-16 for 154 yards and two touchdown strikes. Ogden spread the ball around hitting six different Warhawk receivers in the game.
Defensively, Joey Antonietti tallied a career-high 14 tackles including seven solo. Hawk Heffner added 12 and Kyle Koelblinger registered 11. Ethan Gallagher and Nehemiah Lomax each got to the quarterback for sacks in the game.
