Lynn Binnie

U15 Whitewater United Boys Soccer Club Wraps Up First Season with Championship Win

Pictured: (bottom row) Abdi, Ash (top row) Coach Tony, Casey, Cruz, Kevin, Issac Not pictured: Tyler, Caden, Avi, Richi, Dylan

Editor’s note: The following was provided by Coach Tony Aranda.

Whitewater United U15 boys played in the Brookfield indoor soccer league and just wrapped up their first session.  They were ranked number one (6-0) going into the final game on Saturday, December 17th. With two injured players (Tyler and Caden) and three others players unable to make it (Avi, Richi, and Dylan), that left just enough players to play the final game and no substitutions available. 

As the game began, it immediately became clear it was going to be an intense and highly fast paced game. By halftime, Whitewater was down 0-3 and running out of steam. As the 2nd half began, Whitewater knew their season and perfect record were on the line. With encouragement from Coach Tony, plays started coming together for Whitewater. At the 18th minute of the 25 minute 2nd half, Whitewater’s first goal came from Kevin. Four minutes later, Kevin scored his 2nd goal and pushed the team closer. Cruz, Issac, and Ash continued to have unbelievable defending skills to not allow the opponent to score. Casey (goalie) continued stopping shots at goal constantly to keep the score close. Two minutes later, Kevin scored the 3rd goal giving him a “hat trick” and making the score even at 3-3. With nine minutes to go to end the game, Abdi scored the 4th goal for Whitewater taking the lead at 4-3. The final eight minutes were spent with incredible defending skills by every player for Whitewater and they were using every bit of energy they had left. The game ended with Whitewater winning 4-3 in an amazing comeback and hard fought game. The entire game they had no substitutions available so no player was able to take any breaks and they did not allow any goals the 2nd half of the game. They finished their session with a perfect record 7-0 and winning the championship final.

Seniors in the Park Presents Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

“Everything, Everywhere, All at Once”

Tuesday, December 27, 1 p.m.

(Action/Adventure/Comedy)

Rated R (violence, language)

2 hours, 19 minutes (2022)

Look forward to the future and the new year, as we enter the Multiverse, a theoretical reality that includes a possibly infinite number of parallel universes. In this adventure, an aging Chinese immigrant (Michelle Yeoh) is swept up in an insane adventure, in which she alone can save our world, by exploring other universes connecting with the other lives she could have led. Also stars Jamie Lee Curtis. This film has garnered a lot of 2023 Oscar buzz. As the 2023 Golden Globe and Academy Awards approach, Seniors in the Park will be screening the nominated films. 

Whitewater’s Jewel Has Been Dark Too Long – Jay Craggs Takes the Helm at Young Auditorium

Vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles perform in the 2019 Holiday Gala in Young Auditorium on Dec. 7, 2019. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Since its opening in 1993, the Young Auditorium on the UW-Whitewater campus has been known locally and in surrounding communities as a “jewel” — an unusually large premier performing arts venue for a community of Whitewater’s size. The facility has 1300 seats and a 400 square foot stage, and is fully accessible. It hosted dozens of dance, music, theatre, comedy, and university events every year. The auditorium is fortunate to be in close proximity to Milwaukee and Madison, as oftentimes touring groups that are on the schedule at venues there have added a stop in Whitewater, usually with a more affordable ticket price. Guests also appreciate the convenient, free parking.

As a performing artist (electric guitar/vocals), Jay Craggs has numerous awards and albums to his credit.
 

Since the start of the pandemic the Young has been largely dark, with a notable exception of the Holiday Gala on December 3, and until recently it had lost nearly all of its staff. That is in the process of changing, particularly with the appointment, effective December 5, of Jay Craggs as director. Jay’s twenty-five year tenure at UW-W has included serving as assistant director for facilities, University Center; technical director of Young Auditorium; and as a music and communication instructor. Craggs holds an M.A. in arts, entertainment and management from Columbia College and a B.M. in music education from UW-W. He’s had experience on both sides of the entertainment industry, as both a performing artist (electric guitar/vocals) and in booking events. In announcing Jay’s appointment, Eileen Hayes, dean of the College of Arts and Communication, said, “We look forward to benefiting from his depth of experience in the arts and entertainment industry as well as his business acumen as he joins the hardworking and dedicated staff of the Young Auditorium.”

The Young staff also includes longtime staff member Michael Morrissey, now serving as Event Manager; Brian Breezer, Marketing Specialist; Harley Faustrum, Stagehand; Heather Haywood, Office Manager; and Josh Werner, technical director.

Craggs told the Banner that he is excited for this new opportunity, and is already actively seeking bookings, hopefully even on late notice for the spring semester. Watch for further information in the near future.

First United Methodist Church Welcomes All to Christmas Eve Services

On Christmas Eve, Saturday, the First United Methodist Church choir will be singing at the 7 p.m. service. Communion will be celebrated at the 11 p.m. service. An elevator provides easy access to the sanctuary, which is on the second floor. If you are unable to join us live, please consider watching the livestream on our YouTube channel. The service will also be archived there.

Although there are normally two worship services on Sunday, at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., on Christmas Day there will be only one service at 9 a.m.

Click on this link for a message from our Pastor, Dan Fahs. https://www.facebook.com/fumcwhitewater/videos/3301068420141630

A warm welcome to all!

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Christmas Greetings

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

“Christmas Greetings” to everyone from the Whitewater Historical Society. This image is from the society’s collection of holiday “penny” post cards, popular during the first two decades of the 20th century.

On the back of this card sent to Miss Ida Edwards, the sender wishes Ida a Merry Christmas and “lots of presents.” The card is postmarked December 21, 1910.

Join us next week for greetings for the New Year!

(post card in the manuscript collections of the Whitewater Historical Society)

We Energies: Thanks for cooperation; okay to raise thermostats

On Friday, December 23 at approximately 6:30 p.m., We Energies began notifying customers of a request to reduce their thermostats to 60-62 in order to conserve natural gas due to an equipment failure by one of their suppliers.

We Energies made this announcement at approximately 7 a.m. on Saturday, December 24: “This morning the amount of natural gas being delivered by interstate pipelines into Wisconsin is back to levels that should meet all customers’ needs. Therefore, We Energies is no longer urging customers to reduce their natural gas use.

We Energies made a conservation request of customers after the Guardian pipeline, which provides natural gas to our distribution network, experienced a significant equipment failure — reducing the amount of fuel they committed to send by 30%.

As a result of our customers’ support, no customer lost the ability to heat their home.

We truly appreciate your understanding throughout this event.”

URGENT: We Energies asks customers to immediately lower their thermostats [Updated]

Update 12/23 @ 9:50 p.m. This link to a Fox6 video report features an interview with a We Energies spokesperson who indicates that the equipment failure was on two valves in DeKalb County, Illinois on the Guardian pipeline. One valve has now been repaired and work is continuing on the other.

On December 23 beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m., We Energies sent out the following urgent notification to its customers:

“We Energies is urging customers to reduce their natural gas use by immediately lowering their thermostats to 60 to 62 degrees. The move will allow customers to stay safe, warm and help avoid a significant natural gas outage.

This request comes after one of the interstate pipeline suppliers who provides natural gas to We Energies experienced a significant equipment failure that is limiting the amount of fuel they are sending We Energies.

The impacted pipeline is one of multiple sources We Energies uses to receive natural gas. On a typical day, an issue like this would not require customers to reduce their usage. However, with extreme cold setting in over much of the United States, We Energies is unable to receive additional natural gas from its other pipeline suppliers.

We Energies has already taken numerous steps to reduce demand for natural gas, including drawing from its liquefied natural gas and propane storage facilities, and reducing natural gas to business customers who have agreed to special billing in these types of events.

We Energies strongly urges customers to reduce their natural gas use by lowering their thermostats and avoid using other natural gas appliances like fireplaces, dryers or ovens.

The company is working to maintain service to emergency and critical facilities.

Customers should take the following actions to help reduce natural gas demand:

  • Set thermostats between 60 to 62 degrees. Add layers or blankets to keep warm when lowering a thermostat’s temperature.
  • Close blinds or drapes at night and avoid opening doors to retain heat. Open blinds during the day to let in heat from the sun.
  • Avoid using secondary natural gas heating sources, such as natural gas fireplaces.
  • Use natural gas ranges sparingly. Prepare food with slow cookers or microwaves.

We expect this shortage will last throughout the rest of the day — we will reassess tomorrow.

We truly appreciate and thank our customers for your understanding and patience as we work to manage these challenging conditions and keep all of our customers safe and warm.

We will be working tirelessly to resume normal operations as soon as possible.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage. “The Thermostat” by starmanseries is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Weather Service Downgrades “Storm Warning” to “Weather Advisory;” Hazardous Conditions Continue till Sat. a.m.

According to a release on Friday at 2:30 p.m. from the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office:

“Blowing and drifting snow is ongoing due to 35 to 50 mph winds, especially on open/rural roads. Bitterly cold wind chills in the -20 to -35F range will persist into mid Saturday morning. The cold temps and blowing snow are resulting in slick and icy stretches of roads.

The Winter Storm Warning was replaced with a Winter Weather Advisory for south central and southeast Wisconsin. The observed conditions/impacts are turning out to be more of an advisory level rather than warning level. The Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. 

Plan on pockets of slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.”

Winter Storm Warning Until Sat. 6 a.m.; Dangerous Wind Chills

According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, a winter storm warning will be in effect for our area from Thursday at 9 a.m. until Saturday at 6 a.m. This will be for a combination of snow, (moderate to heavy at times Thursday), blowing/drifting snow, and plummeting temperatures with bitterly cold wind chills. 

While it remains uncertain if we will see new snow Thursday night through Friday, the combination of fresh snow on the ground and very strong wind gusts will create significant travel impacts across southern Wisconsin. Wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph are expected Thursday night through Friday. This will likely result in significant blowing and drifting of snow, and periods of blizzard conditions. 

In addition to the snow and wind, very cold temperatures will build into the area Thursday. Wind chills between -25 and -35F are possible between Thursday night and Sunday morning with Wind Chills at their lowest Friday morning. Anyone who becomes stranded while traveling between Thursday night and Saturday night will quickly find themselves in a life threatening situation! 

Total snowfall for our area is projected to be between 2-4″. Wind gusts nearly as high as 50 mph are expected around midday on Friday. Wind chills may be as high as -35 degrees F in the early morning hours on Friday, and may continue to be around -20 degrees F through Saturday morning.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Hans from Pixabay.