Lynn Binnie

Photos and article courtesy of Tom Ganser.

No better way to tackle early spring fever than by taking in a performance of the Whitewater Middle School Players performance of “Far Fetched Fairytales” in the James M. Stewart (WHS) Auditorium on April 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. and April 13 at 2 p.m.

General admission tickets are $5 for adult and $3 for students. (April 11 is “Pay what you can night.”) All show tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the event.

“Far Fetched Fairytales” is a collection of stories including Jack and the Beanstalk and the Emperor’s New Clothes and non-traditional stories like The Care and Feeding of a Dragon, The Stage Troll, and Happily Ever After. Add a wandering band of merry men, wacky royals, a pot of spaghetti, a dragon, magic beans, and inventive incantations and … you have an evening of fun and laughter.

Adding to the fun, the Whitewater Middle School PTO will be hosting a Fairytale Ball Tea Party on Saturday, April 13, at 12:30-1:30. Join the cast, on stage, for a very special sit-down tea party including sweets and treats as our guests meet and greet some of the characters. Fun photo ops and activities. The cost is $5 per person. Call 262-472-8178 for details. Reservations are required by April 8th.

Under the direction of Jim McCulloch and Alyssa Orlowski, the cast includes Rafaela Los, Lucy Baldwin, Karlee Luna. Emma Schultz-Majkrzak, Amelia Lefaive, Melody Smith, Ash Miethke, Jaylynn Rappold, Sophia Noonan, Peyton Comfort, Lia Ramirez, Sophia Walenton, Virginia Nelson, Serina Soto, Vivian Harris, Grace Smith, Emma Maas, Ruth Lopez, Charlotte Trautman, Tyrelle Griswold, Adelyn Runnoe, Elijah Gonsior, Ameera Lin, Julian Rennells, Raena Hicks, Joseph Werhane, Kendra Serrano, Storm DePorter, Ian Agen, and D’Veah Dennis.

Led by Kerry Ramsden and Kat Duhham, the stage crew members include Maya Davis, Laken DePorter, Jacob McLaughlin, Sam Raupp, Kolten Reu, Cora Schimming, Talon Wildermuth-Breitzman, and Arlo Zotti.

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The library is hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party on Monday, April 8 at 1:00-3:00 p.m. The library’s supply of viewing glasses has apparently been exhausted, unless some were set aside for this event. You may call the library at 262-473-0530 to confirm. Casey’s had some glasses; it’s not known where else they might be available in town. The partial eclipse begins at 12:51 p.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. The eclipse maximum happens at 2:06 p.m. Stop by anytime between 1:00-3:00 p.m.

The viewing party will be held outside of the library at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. There is no cost or registration. The event will be canceled in the event of cloudy weather (if the eclipse is not visible). For additional information, visit the library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call 262-473-0530.

Fletcher Crone named to Dean’s List at Puget Sound for fall 2023

TACOMA, WA (04/05/2024)– Fletcher Crone of Whitewater, made the fall 2023 Dean’s List at the University of Puget Sound for achieving at least a 3.7 grade-point average, completing all of their enrolled courses without withdrawals, and having no incomplete grades.

About University of Puget Sound

A nationally ranked residential liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, University of Puget Sound enrolls 1,800 undergraduate students from across the country and around the world, as well as 300 graduate students in education, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and public health. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty members who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 50 areas of study. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Luce scholars, notables in the arts and culture, scholars and scientists, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A top producer of Fulbright scholars, Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society.

The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center is pleased to announce that the AARP Driver Safety Class will be offered on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services 1910 County Road NN in Elkhorn. This class is a great refresher on driving techniques and rules of the road and also provides a proven method for seniors to evaluate their driving and make necessary changes to remain safe. In addition, most insurance companies offer a discount of up to three years for completion of the course. The course costs $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. 

For questions or to register for the program, contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and help provide options available to meet the needs of your situation.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”

Adventure/Action) Rated PG-13

2 hours, 34 minutes (2023).

In this fifth installment, Indy (Harrison Ford) now a college professor approaching retirement,  is forced to re-enter the fray in the battle between good and evil: a dial that can change time and reverse the outcome of World War 2! Also starring Antonio Banderas, Karen Allen, and John Rhys-Davies. 

Tuesday, April 9, 1 p.m.

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

by Kenyon Kemnitz, Rainbow Community Care

Rainbow Community Care announces the retirement of Karen Carrig after 27 years as President/CEO. Even though Carrig says it is bittersweet to be retiring from her role as Rainbow Community Care’s President/CEO, she will continue to remain involved in the organization. Carrig will now serve as President of the Rainbow Hospice Foundation and will assist with all fundraising efforts and donor relations.

As Carrig’s leadership role comes to an end, she reflects on Rainbow’s humble beginnings. When she first started in the late 90s, Rainbow only served nine patients a day and since then has become a respected leader in end-of-life care in rural southern Wisconsin with an average daily census of over 300 patients in its hospice and palliative care programs.

“This has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve with such a dedicated staff, board, and volunteers,” said Carrig.

Rainbow did not have to look far for Carrig’s successor. The Rainbow Hospice Care Board of Directors has selected Carol Brown as the next President/CEO. With her experience spanning over two decades at Rainbow, Brown is poised to lead the organization into the future. Carol’s tenure at Rainbow began in 2002 as a Registered Nurse Case Manager and since that time she has held an extensive list of positions, including Admissions Nurse, Inpatient Center Manager, Director of Program Integrity, Patient Care Coordinator, Vice President of Quality and Clinical Operations, and most recently Chief Operating Officer.

Carrig cannot think of a better person than Brown to take over her role and knows the organization will be in great hands.

“I already know Carol has all the skills, knowledge, and qualities necessary to succeed in the job, plus an incredible amount of integrity that will serve her and our communities well,” Carrig said. “She is committed to delivering quality patient care, making our staff feel valued, and acknowledging our volunteers. She will do an excellent job because she is already so embedded in the culture and helped create the culture in the organization.”

“Each role has provided me with invaluable experience,” said Brown. “While working with our patients and their families, I found a real love for hospice. Having some of my own family members on hospice over the years is what really motivated me to be a leader who helps shape the type of care we provide. My leadership roles gave me foundational knowledge in strategic planning, leadership development, regulatory compliance, and fostering community partnerships, all of which have prepared me to lead this wonderful non-profit organization as President/CEO.”

Over the years, developing and nurturing relationships with care partners working in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community groups and organizations has helped Rainbow improve the way they serve patients and families. Both Carrig and Brown expect that to continue.

“We are all guided by a mutual vision to improve the lives of our neighbors and friends,” Carrig said. “People we live with, work with, go to church with, and see in the grocery store – these are the folks we care for. We built our inpatient center in Johnson Creek because we knew its presence would help us care for more and more vulnerable people in the communities we serve.”

“Over time, an understanding of what constitutes good end-of-life care in this rural part of the state has evolved by prioritizing personalized care plans, enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients/families, and increasing access to supportive services,” Brown said. “Rainbow Community Care has played a pivotal role in driving these changes through community education initiatives and the development of innovative care programs.”

Adding new service line offerings and programs has helped Rainbow evolve and Brown thinks that mindset is key to long-term survival in the ever-changing landscape of American healthcare.

“What sets Rainbow apart is its unwavering commitment to providing compassionate and personalized care that is supported by a dedicated team of professionals and strong community partnerships,” Brown said. “To remain competitive and a leader in hospice, palliative, and guided care well into the future, we must continue to innovate and adapt to meet the changing needs of our patients while staying true to our core values of dignity, respect, and quality.”

Carrig’s leadership and guidance have been an inspiration and comfort to Brown, who took over the duties of Rainbow’s President in January.

“Karen has provided me with immeasurable and invaluable advice throughout my career,” Brown said. “She emphasizes the importance of strong leadership, community service, continuous learning, and prioritizing patient-centered care. Her guidance has been instrumental in navigating complex challenges and driving our success. She will be greatly missed.”

By Tom Ganser

On March 16 and 18 the Whitewater community experienced the magic of music, thanks to two concerts in the UWW Young Auditorium.

On March 16 the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra and the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra (comprised of UWW students) combined talented musicians in a concert that began with the performance of strings only “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams and conducted by David Anderson, LGSO Music Director. This was followed by a performance of “The Planets, Suite for Large Orchestra” by Gustav Holst and conducted by Christopher Ramaekers, UWW Director of Orchestras, and that showcased over 120 musicians and a choir of UWW female voices led by Robert Gehrenbeck, Director of Choral Studies.

On March 18, Glenn C. Hayes conducted nearly 80 members of the University/Community Band in the performance of five selections, including excerpts from Symphony No. 1, “The Lord of the Rings” by Johan de Meij and “Country Band” March by Charles Ives.

The next concerts by these ensembles include the University/Community Band on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Young Auditorium, the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra on April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Young Auditorium, and the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra on May 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Big Foot High School Auditorium,

For more information about the LGSO concerts and Chamber Music concerts visit www.LakeGenevaOrchestra.org.

For more information on the University/Community Band and Whitewater Symphony Orchestra concerts visit www.uww.edu/coac/events.

Director of Children’s and Family Ministries
Whitewater Area Regional Ministries of the United Methodist Church is seeking a half-time Director of Children’s and Family Ministries who will provide leadership, coordination, resourcing and communication for its Christian education programs for children and youth. Our aim is to encourage faith development in an inclusive, caring and fun environment. Please submit a resume or letter of interest to dan@fumcwhitewater.org or Rev. Dan Fahs, First UMC, 145 S. Prairie Street. Whitewater, WI 53190.