Lynn Binnie

UW-W December commencement set for Dec. 17

Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will celebrate the achievements of its graduates at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, as proud families and friends gather for the 2022 December commencement ceremony.

Approximately 630 students will cross the stage to receive their degrees. The ceremony, about two hours long and presided over by Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth, will be held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center. 

This year’s commencement speaker is Jen Rulon. Since earning a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in psychology in 1993, she has embarked on a series of accomplishments that include working as a marine animal trainer and behaviorist at SeaWorld, becoming a 15-time Ironman Triathlete, and sharing, through her brand JenRulon.com, inspiring messages to people from all walks of life on the TEDx Stage and through publications like Triathlete Magazine, Runners World and The New York Times.

The student speaker is Jacquelyn Schimke, who is earning her Master of Science in Education in special education–professional development, with autism specialist, transition specialist and applied behavioral analysis certifications. In May 2021, she received her Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis on special education and cross-categorical licenses in intellectual disabilities and learning disabilities.

The ceremony will recognize 63 undergraduates from the College of Arts and Communication, 164 from the College of Business and Economics, 164 from the College of Education and Professional Studies and 130 from the College of Letters and Sciences and five degrees that are not college-specific, for a total of 525 undergraduate degrees. The School of Graduate Studies will award 104 degrees, including 98 master’s degrees and 6 doctorates.

The graduating class includes 5 international students, 41 military veterans and 134 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 79 self-identified students with disabilities will receive degrees.

Commencement will be broadcast live online by UWWTV, the university television station. Access to the livestream will be posted at uww.edu/commencement.

Whitewater Elementary 5th Grade Choirs to Present Winter Concert on Tuesday

Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by Christine Hayes.

WHITEWATER ELEMENTARY 5th GRADE CHOIRS TO PRESENT WINTER CONCERT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13

Over 100 fifth grade music students from Lakeview, Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools will combine to perform their Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 13, at 7:00 p.m.  The Concert is at the Whitewater High School Auditorium and is open to the public, free of charge. 

Selections include “De Colores,” “Moonlight Sleigh Ride,” Welch folk song “When in Dreamland,”  “Gaudeamus Hodie,” the beautiful “The Snow Begins to Fall,” and Leroy Anderson’s holiday favorite, “Sleigh Ride.”  The concert will begin with “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  Conductors are Christine Hayes, Justin Kamp, and Val Troxel.  Accompanist for the choir is Mrs. Barb Taylor. 

Whitewater Man Charged with Identity Theft

According to a report in the Lake Geneva Regional News, “Jeyson A Rizo Meija, 25, of 123 S Cottage St. Whitewater, has been charged with identity theft-financial gain. On Sept. 16, a Whitewater police officer conducted a traffic stop of a black Chevrolet Cruze that nearly struck another vehicle in the City of Whitewater. The driver identified himself as Lenis Adonis Rizo Meija.” At the time of the traffic stop, the registration was expired and “Lenis” claimed that the vehicle belonged to his brother, but when the officer checked the registration, it was registered to the alias “Jeyson Rizo.” The officer searched the vehicle and found a wallet that had a Nicaragua voter identification card with the name “Jeyson Abimael Rizo Mejia,” the defendant. The officer also located a fake Wisconsin ID card and a fake social security card, both of which contained the initials “OIR” on them. Meija later admitted that the cards were stolen and he knew it was a crime to be in possession of them. He said he obtained the cards around one year ago to be able to work. Contact was made with “OIR” and he wanted to press charges.”

Obituary: Thomas Robert Guequierre, 71

On Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, Thomas Robert Guequierre, loving husband and father of two passed away at the age of 71. Tom grew up in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, then lived for many years in Whitewater, Wisconsin, before moving to Florida.

Tom’s entire life was dedicated to two things: family, and serving the community. Tom met the love of his life, Sherry, when they were in junior high. They married at the ages of 20 and 18 respectively and had a long and happy marriage. Tom was a devoted father and grandfather, and found great joy in spending time with his family. Tom was a talented and dedicated police officer serving the Whitewater, Wisconsin Police Department from 1973 – 2001, with his final rank being Lieutenant (second in command of the department). Tom was a strong mentor to other officers. He nearly gave his life in the line of duty in 1978. Tom was recognized with many honors, including, the Officer of the Year Award, Whitewater City Council Outstanding Citizen Award, and the American Legion Meritorious Service Award. He served as the President of both the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and the Whitewater Professional Police Association, and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Tom also served on the board of directors for both Fairhaven Senior Services and Habitat for Humanity of Walworth County. Tom continued his dedication to the community after retirement, serving on several boards in the community in which he lived, and financially supported several near and dear charities.

Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sherry (Merrill) Guequierre, children Michelle (Jason) Platzer, and Paul Guequierre, grandson Aiden Platzer, and brothers John (Polly) and Jim (Brian). Tom is preceded in death by his granddaughter Grace Louise Platzer, his parents Louise, “Dewey” (Fenske) Guequierre Roll and Gerald Guequierre, his sister Laura Lee, and step-father Paul Roll.

Tom will be remembered at a private funeral service in December to be followed by a larger celebration of life to be planned in the coming months.

Memorials can be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Tom’s honor. Memories may be shared at this link.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: c.1900 Grocery Store Decked out for the Holidays

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. The Christmas season is in full swing now, so enjoy this c.1900 photograph of a grocery store in Whitewater’s downtown decked out with Christmas goods for sale. Note the huge candy canes and Christmas trees and wreaths for sale! I wonder if the candy canes were really candy or some type of decoration.

Frank Hall was a partner in a grocery store in the late 19th century and in January of 1899, he started his own store on Center Street. He was in business alone until around 1910. This photo was taken during that time by Henry Scholl, from whom the historical society has over 400 glass plate negatives.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3709P Whitewater Historical Society)

Sportswriter, UW-W Grad, Mike Hart Leaving Journal Sentinel

According to an article on the Wisconsin Newspaper Association website, “After more than 40 years as a sportswriter and sports wire editor with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mike Hart has accepted a voluntary buy-out from Gannett, the Milwaukee Business Journal reports.

He is part of a team of digital producers who work on content for the Journal Sentinel, Green Bay Press-Gazette, (Appleton) Post-Crescent and other USA TODAY-Network organizations in Wisconsin.

Hart is a 1981 graduate of UW-Whitewater. He began working for the Journal Sentinel in 1982. His last day with the newspaper will be Friday, Dec. 9.”

Viewer’s Choice Winner for Whitewater Arts Alliance Members’ Show

“Women’s Rights Targeted” by Dawn Hunter

Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by the Whitewater Arts Alliance.

The annual Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) Members Show (and sale) officially ended its voting poll for the Viewer’s Choice Award on Sunday, November 20. The Viewer’s Choice award winner receives 25 notecards of their winning art that they can sell at their leisure. The WAA also receives 25 notecards to sell at the Cultural Arts Center for $2 until they are gone. This year voting occurred through both in-gallery and online. Visitors would receive four stickers to put on place cards beside each art piece to vote for their favorites. Online visitors would select four pieces to submit and be added to the tally. In-gallery visitors were given one sticker set per visit while online visitors were asked to vote only once per day. Both systems were anonymous.

The winner this year was Dawn Hunter’s “Women’s Rights Targeted.”

Additionally, on Saturday, November 5, all the artists were entered into a blind drawing for a free 2023 WAA membership. The winner this year was John Koebler.

The show will continue to be available for in-person viewing until Sunday, December 18. After that, the show will be viewable online for the rest of the month. For more information about the Members’ Show, or to see the art, visit https://www.whitewaterarts.org/members-show-2022

Obituary: Nancy L. Nelson, 86

Nancy L. Nelson age 86, of Milton, WI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. She was born on November 8, 1936, to J. Charles and Signe (Nordeng) Jones in Janesville, Wisconsin. Nancy graduated from Janesville High School, attended UW-Madison, and finished her education in Radiologic Technology at Rockford Memorial Hospital. She then married Thurlow Nelson on July 23, 1960. After pursuing her career as an X-Ray Tech, she moved on to focus all her time to family, raising their two children Julie and Charles (Chuck). Nancy then went to work at Jones Dairy Farm, where she retired after 25 years of service.

Nancy loved music and could play a variety of instruments, but her real passion was loving and caring for people. You would always find her in the kitchen fixing something for family and friends. Her kitchen was open anytime day or night.

Nancy (Ama) loved being a part of her grandsons’ lives whether it was attending their sporting events, having them stop by for a delicious meal or just a simple text or phone call. Ama’s boys were her pride and joy. She also loved her Norwegian heritage and enjoyed making and eating her favorite foods like Lefsa and Rosettes. Her faith and love for God was also an important part of her life.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband Thurlow, children, Julie (Randy) Salem, and Charles (Connie) Nelson, grandchildren Christopher and Brady Nelson, and Zachary Salem, brother Donald (Kathy) Jones and special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Nancy and her family have a great appreciation and love for all the incredibly special caregivers, wonderful friends and extended family who helped her and were a big part of her life.

Visitation time will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton. The Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Obituary: Herbert G. Ableman, 85, of Weston, WI

Herbert G. Ableman, 85, Weston, WI, died December 1, 2022, at Primrose Memory Care, Weston, with his daughters by his side. Herb was born on March 23, 1937, in Monroe, WI, to Ted and Ruth (Johnson) Ableman. He grew up in Monroe, playing basketball and graduating from Monroe High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. On June 24, 1961, he married Barbara Phelps, and employment with Wausau Insurance Company as a Certified Public Accountant brought the couple to the Wausau area where they raised their family. Herb was involved with many local organizations where he often volunteered as treasurer and was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church. He was known both for his sense of humor and acts of service to those he loved.

Loved ones surviving include his three children; son, Mark of Boston, MA; daughters, Jill (Jason) Johnson of St. Paul, MN, and Laura (William) Litzer of Rothschild, WI; granddaughters, Kayleigh Oestreicher of Minneapolis, MN and Piper and Zoe Johnson of St. Paul, MN; and his sister, Darlene Nuckles, Monroe; as well as many other dear friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Ruth; wife, Barbara; brother and sister-in-law Dean and Bev Ableman; sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Archie Myers; brother, Robert Ableman; brother-in-law, Leonard Nuckles; and nephew James Nuckles.

Herb’s children would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Primrose Memory Care in Weston for the excellent care he received from them.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are suggested in Herbert’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wisconsin (alz.org/wi) or First Presbyterian Church, Wausau.

Brainard Funeral Home-Weston Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements