On Saturday, August 3, Aureljean “Jeani” Gustafson-Erdmann died peacefully of complications from 13 years of Alzheimer’s.

As Mrs. Rexroat, Ms. Gustafson, and Mrs. Erdmann, she taught in the Whitewater Junior High and Middle Schools from the 1960s to 1998. 

Among her mourners are her daughter, Dawn; her son, Christopher, and her sister, Cheryl.  Her husband Ed mourns gently and joyfully, for he knew Aureljean to have been of the highest motives and integrity in all she did.  This angel has gone to home.  

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

Banner City Bikers Summer Travels: RAIN!

Article and Photos by Blake Scharine

Previous installments: The Journey Begins | Part II | Tail of the Dragon

The week of riding has been remarkable.. especially the rain! 

Well, the timing of it, that is. So we got some rain at least 6 different days & only one modest rain for 15 min just before our lunch stop. The rest were the very end of a full days ride.

In fact, one day we saw a strong storm right in front of us, obvious heavy downpours, dark clouds and red on the radar and decided to gather under an entrance to a dialysis center. Fortunately, they were closed… we waited out the storm for almost an hour and stayed dry on the 30 minute ride back to the lodge. 

On Wednesday, a bunch of us went on the “Dealer Loop” heading south into the northern burbs of Atlanta. We visited 2 Harley and 2 Indian dealers and picked up some tees. Our ride back to the lodge took us on the southern portion of Highway 129. This section of highway was “nameless” not like the dragon, gauntlet or moonshiner etc. but is worthy of a name like “twisted twenty” as it was an equally fun piece of pavement as the others.

About 20 minutes from the resort the rain cut loose but we found shelter on a big porch of a BBQ joint that was closed on Wednesdays. Hmm, you think this stuff is coincidence? I don’t think so. His provision time and again.

Our last day of riding before heading back north was the Hiawassee Lake loop. Tremendous ride with lake views and challenging rolling hills with twisties we wont forget. All this topped off with an impressive Hiawassee Dam park and viewing area. We enjoyed a dinner together at the flying trout restaurant at the copperhead lodge.

The days are flying by!!

Gary Keith Stone, 83, Whitewater, WI passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at Fairhaven Senior Living in Whitewater.

Gary was born on January 21, 1936 in Waupaca, WI to Benjamin and Zelma (Barton) Stone. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1955. On July 28, 1956 Gary married Janet Stelter at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. He served his country in the National Guard for 6 years. Gary was employed at General Motors for 36 years. He and Janet loved to golf and spending part of their retirement in Florida. Gary enjoyed ice fishing and playing cards.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Janet, Whitewater; children Jodeen (James) Kienbaum, Whitewater, Linda Jacobs, Janesville, Brett Stone, Madison; grandchildren Brittany (Blake Zimmerman)Kienbaum, Eric (Chaya) Jacobs, Valerie (Nemesio) Alvarez; great-grandchildren Andre, Willian and Roman Alvarez, Dash and Capri Jacobs. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandson Michael Kienbaum.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 11:00am at First English Lutheran Church 401 W. Main St. Whitewater WI 53190. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 9:30am until the time of the service. As an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to First English Lutheran Church. Gary will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We all love you!

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

Nitardyfuneralhome.com

Janesville Performing Arts Center production of “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” features local talent

Article and Photos by Tom Ganser

The theatrical talents of Whitewater residents will be showcased, both onstage and behind the scenes, in the Janesville Performing Arts Center production of “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” on Aug 8-10 at 7:00 p.m., and Aug. 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Taking to the stage from Whitewater is actress Althea Reichwald.  Whitewater residents adding their talents behind the scenes – and all familiar to the community thanks to their contributions to Whitewater Unified School District plays and musicals – are Jim McCulloch as director, Lori Heidenreich as musical director, Lynn Lema as choreographer and costume organizer, and Whitewater High School students Josie Hintz and Emma VanDaele as stage technicians.

As an added treat, a Tea Party with Alice will be held at 5:30 p.m. before the 7:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, Aug. 10.  Admission to the Tea Party is $5 and includes Tea, Cookies, and Photos with Alice.  Guests will get to pick out their own porcelain tea cup to enjoy at the event and then take it home as a souvenir.

There also will be a silent auction to bid on tea cups beautifully decorated by members of the community. All proceeds from this event will benefit JPAC’s Education and Outreach Department.

This is a face-paced stage adaptation of the Disney classic animated film that has been a favorite of generations, younger and older, since its premier in 1951.

It features updated dialogue and new arrangements of such classic Disney songs as “I’m Late,” “The Un-birthday Song,” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit. Her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game.

For more information on the Janesville Performing Arts Center located at 400 South Main Street in Janesville and tickets for “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” visit janesvillepac.org or call 608-758-0297.

Banner City Bikers Summer Travels: The Tail of the Dragon

Article and Photos by Blake Scharine

Previous installments: The Journey Begins | Part II

The week continues with more incredible rides!

As I told all of our bikers this year “its about the roads”. This area of north Georgia and the Carolinas, simply hands down, has the best roads and routes in the USA.

Whats on tap for next few days? “The Gauntlet” & the infamous “Tail of the Dragon.”

The first couple hours of the gauntlet brought us through Suches, GA. A wild curvy route that kept us alert the whole time all the way to our lunch destination, Big Daddy’s Smokehouse, in Helen, GA. Helen is big touristy town; waterparks, tubing, ATVs and tons of shopping and restaurants. Also a thigh burner, as traffic was backed up coming into town for a mile or better, one road in and one road out. I guess this can be expected. Big Daddy’s did not disappoint with great burgers, ribs, chicken and more. I highly recommend it. 

We saw rain rolling in on the radar, losing a lot of time in Helen. We decided to cut the Gauntlet short and head back to the lodge directly. Oh that wont take long! Mountain driving is always an education. My running response to “how far to our next stop?” is “oh about 15 mi but about 2 1/2 hrs” WHAT! Is the typical response.. but I’m not always that far off, just kidding. Anywho, we got into Blairsville (10 min from the lodge) and some of us wanted to fuel up and/or grab some groceries. Well, 3 couples got under a gas station roof before the market visit, and the rest got drenched on the way back. Hard rain, couldn’t see, and pulled over to get even wetter. Good thing is the entire week, what rain we got nearly always came at the very end of the ride home. God has blessed us with his perfect timing.

The next day “the Tail of the Dragon” on Highway 129 was our destination. The roads going up to 129 were almost as good as the dragon. We stopped for some pics & souvies at Deal’s Gap, the self proclaimed entrance to the dragon. After our t-shirts got packed away, we set our sights on the pavement of the tail. This ride is best known for its 318 curves in 11 miles. This is 100% designed for honing your biking skills. The curves have aggressive banked angles and nearly all are 10 -15 mph twisties. Great pavement too! Another cool situation was once you’ve been thru the dragon, there are not a multitude of options to head back, so about half of us decided to ride it back down again and the other half took a slightly longer route back south/west. This worked out great as they discovered hwy 68 and hwy 60 which we all got to enjoy later in the week. We all got back safe and sound that night. 

The Cherahala Skyway would be our next days adventure and WOW! Beautiful scenery and lots of paved pull offs. This road had just the right sweeping angles and banked turns. We got a little rain just before lunch but had a chance to dry off over some good food.  The Smokies come by their name honestly. The fog rolled in on a daily basis, beautiful and enduring, making it difficult to predict the weather. But we’ll push on! God most certainly created a gem in the Cherehala. Stopping at a Harley dealer at the entrance of the skyway and hitting lunch at Lynn’s made this a memorable ride.

Till my next installment!


Update on Banner City Biker – Sturgis contingent

Bruce Parker & Dick Jones arrived in Sturgis at Katmandu campground Friday and not far behind was Gary Kiger & Cliff Floerke.

Campground was set up, tents and all! Cliff Storlie left Georgia thursday am with Russ/Mary as they had a Nebraska appointment to get to Sturgis & join the others. He gets in at midnight and throws his sleeping bag on top a picnic table and is out like a lite. Black Hills activities will wait til morning! Have fun guys!!

Kenneth Vernon Krumm, age 85, of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2019.

Ken was born in McIntyre, Iowa on August 19, 1933, the son of Otto and Johanna (Reich) Krumm. On February 15, 1957, Ken married Janet Luebke in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. He was employed with General Motors for forty years.

Ken was a member of the First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. Ken loved his family and enjoyed watching them grow. He loved playing cards, fishing, hunting, farming, joking around with everyone, collecting treasures from auctions and sales, and having a few beers with family and friends.

Surviving are: Children: Robert Krumm, Michelle (Jeffrey) Cannon; Grandchildren: Desiree Lueloff, Jade Ritter; Great-grandchildren: Anika Lueloff, Ayrton Ritter; Two siblings: Lois Meier and Elroy Streich.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Krumm, his parents and three brothers.

Funeral Services will be held at 12 PM on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Nitardy Funeral Home Chapel, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI 53190. A visitation will take place from 10 AM until the time of services.

Nitardy funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Banner City Bikers Summer Travels: Part II

Article and Photos provided by Blake Scharine

For part one, click here.

When we left Maggie valley, all of us commented on how impressive the wheels through time museum was. If you have any reason to be that direction, do stop there, it’s well worth the time and money. Hundreds of antique functional motorcycles and well informed museum staff to answer questions – Great stop.

Onward to Copperhead lodge! Hwy 19 was our route, Wow! The route is spectacular, long sweeping turns mixed with plenty of 25 mph 90-120° turns with the occasional 10-15 mph hairpins without the freezing and thawing seasons the pavement down here is amazing.

With the exception of Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee (our first real thigh burner) traffic has been great. By the way “thigh burner” is when you’re stuck in a start and stop traffic jam, your bike runs very hot, and that heat has to go somewhere, well you can figure out the rest… ouch.

Speakin of backups, we were all ecstatic to be traveling south on I-40 as we observed a 20 mile standstill on I-40 northbound on a 90° aftern. Yuck. Anyhoo… we arrived safe and sound at the lodge Friday afternoon: 10 bikes, 16 people. Eddie and the Hamlins would arrive a bit later and by Saturday we would be 12 bikes & 19 people.

As is in most great motorcycling spots the area has given certain rides “names,” so Saturday we set out on “the Moonshiner 28.” Again pristine pavement and challenging twisties, we stopped to see several water falls including Dry Falls. We were able to go right down underneath the spill for pics, very cool, literally.

Lunch was at the Highland Smokehouse on 28. Excellent grub and great service. Well, maybe not Jessica’s service but pretty good ;). 

Finishing up the “Moonshiner 28” we headed back “home” stopping to fuel for the next day and get a few groceries. Big day on Sunday: The Gauntlet! And, yes, “Tail of the Dragon” is in the itinerary too.

Til next time, soak in God’s spectacular creation!