Lynn Binnie

WMS Teacher John Schimming Honored with Inspiring Educator of the Year Award

WMS Teacher John Schimming Honored with Inspiring Educator of the Year Award 

At its August 29 All-Staff Kick Off Event, the Whitewater Unified School District recognized John Schimming as this year’s recipient of the WUSD Inspiring Educator of the Year Award.

Schimming is a seventh-grade math teacher at Whitewater Middle School. He is known for his mentorship to his students and the many colleagues, athletes, and community members with whom he interacts. He also has an active role in growing the Whitewater wrestling program, specifically the girls’ division. 

“On behalf of our entire school district community, I would like to congratulate John on earning this well-deserved award for the 2023-24 school year,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. “During his time in our district, John has had an incredible impact on our students, families, and community. He is someone who is dedicated to his craft and who truly cares about ensuring students have the opportunities they need to thrive. A big thank you goes out to John for all he does, each and every day.”

The district considers nominations for the annual award from its teachers and staff. A WUSD Inspiring Educator of the Year is an individual whose work exemplifies the district’s core values and demonstrates best practices in the field of education. 

The recipient provides students with exceptional learning experiences and unique opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to helping them achieve their highest potential. 

Obituary: Peter Conover, 75, of Tucson, AZ

Peter Conover, professor of mass communications, founder of UW- Whitewater Cable TV, avid traveler, talented photographer and devoted family man, died on July 16, 2023, at the supportive Peppi’s House (TMC Hospice), Tucson, AZ, from complications of Parkinson’s. 

Peter was a remarkable human being, an amazing husband, father, grandfather, a significant guide for countless young people and a cherished friend. His positive attitude, good sense of humor and engaging smile brought joy to so many. He would frequently answer the phone by saying his name and then, “How may I help you?” as that was always his aim, to be of assistance to others. Once, when we were discussing the most important aspects of a person, Peter said, “The ability to connect,” which he did with so many. His example and his spirit will continue to ripple through the lives of those he touched for generations to come.

Peter was born in Evanston, IL on January 2, 1948, attended school in Evanston and Chicago, earned a BA at the University of Iowa, where he met his wife, Katherine. He went on to earn an MA from Syracuse (NY) University, and a Ph. D. from UW-Madison. He was a professor of communication at UW-Whitewater for many years, earning awards for Outstanding Faculty Service and for Outstanding Teaching.

He is survived by wife, Katherine, sons Aubrey (Laura) and Damien (Shoshanah), grandsons Eli, Ben and Colin, brother Kelley (Judy) and sister Mary Susan (Mike) and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Whitewater, where he lived and worked for many years and where he developed numerous valued friendships.

Donations in his name can be made to one of two endowments (#4159 and #4218) set up by and for Peter at UW-Whitewater in the “Designation” dropdown menu found here:  http://uww.edu/give.

Reopening of County Hwy N Delayed; Tickets Being Issued

The closure for paving and culvert replacement on County Highway N which extends from the western end of Walworth Street was originally projected to be completed by August 31. Now the Rock County Public Works Department indicates that they do not expect this work to be completed until September 29.

Meanwhile, according to reports on social media, some drivers have been ticketed for failing to observe the detour. One person stated that he got a $175 citation for simply driving the very short distance to County Line Road to make a delivery to the mobile home park.

September 19 is National Voter Registration Day

September 19, 2023 is National Voter Registration Day

The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area is a proud supporter of the National Voter Registration Day and will provide Voter Registration education and assistance in Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, and Delavan, in celebration of this nonpartisan civic holiday.

Founded in 2012, National Voter Registration Day was designed to create a day each year when the entire nation focuses on registering Americans to exercise their most basic right – the right to vote.

According to U.S. Census data from 2020, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote. Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. 

Please tap into the League’s collective expertise with all your voting concerns on this special day.  League members will be staffing tables at the following locations and times on Tuesday, September 19th:

10 AM – 2 PM  Aram Public Library, 404 E Walworth Ave, Delavan

11 AM – 1 PM  Irvin L Young Memorial Library, 431 W Center St, Whitewater

11 AM – 1 PM  UW Whitewater University Center, Table A, 190 Hamilton Green Way

3 PM – 5 PM  Dwight Foster Public Library, 209 Merchants Ave, Fort Atkinson

4 PM – 7 PM  Whitewater City Market, 301 W Whitewater St

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!

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the League of Women Voters – Whitewater area.

Mary Hardin-Baylor falls to UW-River Falls

Mary Hardin-Baylor, #3 in D3football.com’s preseason poll, fell to #23 UW-River Falls by a score of 22-45 on September 2 at River Falls. Reportedly MH-B lost many of their leading players and are fielding a younger squad. The team has won three D-III championships, most recently in 2021.

As previously reported, the #11 Warhawks beat #19 John Carroll by 27-23 on September 2. UW-W will face MH-B in week #3 in Texas.

Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder


Did you know that more than half of women over age 50 experience issues with bladder or bowel control? These problems can be slightly bothersome or totally debilitating. For some women, the chance of embarrassment keeps them from enjoying many activities and can take control of their life.

A popular workshop in Rock County can help! “Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder” is a workshop designed to give women, age 60 and older, the tools they need to take control of their bladder and bowel symptoms. The workshop provides information, group activities, and simple exercises and dietary changes to practice at home. The workshop consists of three, 2-hour sessions over the course of a month.
Dedication to the series of three classes is required. This is a workshop for females, taught by a female.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Rock County invite women to join them for a “Mind Over Matter” series at the Daniel Williams Resource Center (where the ADRC is located) at 1717 Center Avenue in Janesville, Wisconsin. The series will occur on three Monday mornings from 10:00 am -12 pm on: September 11, 25 & October 9, 2023. Suggested donation is $10 to cover cost of materials. Space is limited, so register early to reserve a spot! Registration deadline is September 6th !

To learn more, or to register for the series, contact Health Promotion
Coordinator, Lisa Messer, of the ADRC of Rock County at: 608-757-5309 or email: lisa.messer@co.rock.wi.us.

Editor’s note: Although first priority is given to Rock County residents, the ADRC staff has indicated to the Banner that residents of other counties are welcome to participate when space is available. Interested women living in Jefferson or Walworth county should contact Lisa to confirm whether space is available.

Leipold & Bielema’s Teams Meet for the First Time

Former UW-W Head Football Coach Lance Leipold joined the University of Kansas as head coach in May 2021. Bret Bielema, former UW Head Football Coach, hired on in the same position at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in December 2020. The teams coached by the two men will meet for the first time on September 8 in Lawrence, Kansas.

This article titled “Leipold and Bielema’s shared history informs KU’s approach to Week 2” in kusports.com may be of interest to readers.

Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. The three-day weekend it falls on is called Labor Day Weekend.

Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor. “Labor Day” was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in New York City. In 1887, Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty states in the U.S. officially celebrated Labor Day.

Canada’s Labour Day is also celebrated on the first Monday of September. More than 80 countries celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1, the ancient European holiday of May Day. May Day was chosen by the Second International of socialist and communist parties to commemorate the Haymarket affair, which occurred in Chicago on May 4, 1886.

Source: Wikipedia

The Banner appreciates the use on the homepage of the image by ilham arief from Pixabay.

This Week’s City Meetings

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30
Municipal building, 312 W. Whitewater St.
Agenda includes first reading of ordinance concerning short-term rentals, convenient cash businesses, right of entry for inspection, building & maintenance code and dwelling standards; second reading of revision to portions of the zoning code dealing with code enforcement, building standards and penalties.
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84471937728?pwd=YlFVWFRCdnZEcnplSlRDZ0xHUmRWZz09

Or dial
+1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 844 7193 7728 Passcode: 529326

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Municipal Building, Cravath Lakefront Room
Agenda
Please click on this link to join the webinar.