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Pint Size Polkas Promises Family Fun at the Library


 Are you ready to polka? The public is invited to a “Music & Magic Friendzy” with Pint Size Polkas, who will be sharing the happiest music on Earth plus magic and comedy fun for all ages to enjoy. 

Mike Schneider just five years old when he heard polka music for the first time. The performer was America’s Polka King, Frankie Yankovic, and needless to say it was love at first sound. Mike and his traditional polka band have been entertaining audiences throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio since 1996. Since that time, they have been nominated for 21 polka awards from five separate organizations.

The event will be held at the Irvin L Young Memorial Library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater on Tuesday, May 30 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. There is no cost or registration to attend.

You may contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-
458-2782.

This Week’s Garage Sale

3 Day Sale this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

Garage Sale on May 26, 27, and 28, 8:00 to 4:00, at 345 S. Summit St. in Whitewater.  Lots of books, cookbooks, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, and over 300 vinyl records!  Most of these items are 50 cents or $1.  Other items:  Canon & Ricoh cameras, Malibu Pilates bench with DVDs, BOSU trainer with DVD, platform step with risers, grill, craft supplies, piano music, household, and miscellaneous.  Come & check out this clean, organized sale!

Obituary: William “Bill” Bush Fardy, 90, of Mequon

William Bush Fardy of Mequon, Wisconsin went to heaven on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the age of 90. Bill died peacefully at home in the loving presence of his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary Lou. He is survived by his children: Kari Dunham (Jeff), Jill Stock (Alex), Dan Fardy (Jeanine), and Mike Fardy (Rachael). Proud Papa of MacKenzie, William, Michael, Ava, Erin, Reilly, Gunnar, and Gretchen. Great Papa of Shea and Finn. Bill is further survived by his sister Pat Roberts, cherished nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. Bill was also preceded in death by his parents Mike and Helen, his sisters Jeanne Trewyn and Nancy Fardy.

Bill was born on February 13, 1933 in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was the second of four children. The Fardy family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1945. Bill was an Altar Boy at St. Patrick Catholic Church, and excelled in sports, particularly baseball and football. After graduating from high school, Bill attended Whitewater Teacher’s College- now University of Wisconsin Whitewater.   He then took a break from college to play professional baseball for the White Sox “Farm Team.” After an injury that hindered his baseball career, Bill was drafted in the Army. Bill completed his term in the Army, and then returned to college at Whitewater, where he met the love of his life, Mary Lou. Bill played football and baseball in college, and later got inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Bill graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and soon got married to Mary Lou (August 1958). Bill and Mary Lou started their teaching careers and family soon after getting married. Mary Lou taught elementary school in Zion, IL and Bill taught high school close by (in Waukegan, IL). Teaching opportunities moved them to Whitewater (WI), Wrightstown (WI) and Horicon (WI) where Bill continued teaching, and Mary Lou cared for their kids Kari, Jill, and Dan which were born during this time. In 1964, Bill became an FBI Agent, which resulted in a move to Houston, TX (1964) then Los Angeles, CA (1965) where they had their 4th child, Mike. During Bill’s time with the FBI, he graduated with his Master’s Degree in Criminology. Bill was involved in many high-profile FBI cases, and was selected to the FBI Swat Team, to include active SWAT team duty for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Bill was active in the kids’ many sports and activities, including coaching and umpiring baseball. The Fardys spent 14 years living in Southern California before moving back to Mequon, WI in 1978. After Bill retired from the FBI, he became the Director of Security for First Financial Bank. Bill was all about family. He enjoyed golfing, Brewer games and tailgating, entertaining with family and friends. And of course, he was a devoted Packer fan. They could pull off so many fabulous family traditions: camping & beach trips with other FBI families, holidays, Thanksgiving in Big Bear, attending the kids’ and grandkids’ events. Most of all he just loved being with his family and friends, always taking care of others.

Bill’s retirement years included travel, annual trips to Gulf Shores, a passion for golf with Mary Lou and his many friends. Bill and Mary Lou attended the kids’ schools and sporting events, and regularly attended Sunday Mass. Mostly, he was happiest surrounded by family.

Visitation Tuesday, May 30 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. with a Memorial Mass to follow at 11:30 a.m. at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2750 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Milwaukee Fallen Heroes in Bill’s name appreciated. 

The Fardy family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Jean (a devoted caregiver and friend), Newcastle Place, Holding Hands, and Heartland/ProMedica Hospice for their dedication and compassionate care.

Obituary: Alton Schallock, 99, of Tomah (Updated)

Alton Schallock, age 99, passed away on May 11th, 2023 at the Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse.  Alton was born on November 15, 1923 in South Dakota.  He was the son of Arthur Schallock and Tina (Strohman) Schallock. Alton and his parents briefly lived in Canada before relocating to Jackson, Wisconsin where he attended school.  Alton joined the Civilian Conservation program as a teenager.  He also worked as a deck hand on a Great Lakes ore carrier for several years.  Alton served in the Pacific theater during World War Two.  After the war, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a degree in Forestry.  He was united in marriage to Jane Mocker on April 24th, 1954.  She preceded him in death in 2014.  They resided in Whitewater, WI for over 40 years until Alton retired as a Forester from the Department of Natural Resources.  He is survived by his son, Robert Schallock.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on June 3rd at the Hooverson Funeral Home in Sauk City, WI.  Burial will be in the Prairie du Sac Cemetery.
hooversonfuneralhomes.com

Editor’s note: Revision made on 5/24 at 1:20 p.m. to indicate Mr. Shallock had been living in Tomah, not Sauk City. Hooverson Funeral Home told the Banner that, “He had been living in Tomah, with his son, after his wife died [in 2014]. Prior to that he lived in Whitewater. Services here [Sauk City,] with burial on original family plot of his wife’s family.”

WRAP Show Gives Awards for State and Honorable Mention Winners

Jeff Mann, Honorable Mention, with oil painting “Brandy and Tiny” – All photos by WAA/Ashley McDarison. 
Larry Schultz critiquing Judith Buzzell’s state award winning painting “Wolf #5” to group of attending artists/visitors.

Larry Schultz critiquing Sue Herring’s oil painting “Carver’s Rock Reflections” to attending artists and visitors.
Larry Schultz presenting awards to artists unable to attend the reception.
Laura Strehlow, Honorable Mention winner with mixed media piece “Autumn Leaves”.
Sue Herring, State winner with oil painting “Carver’s Rock Reflections”.
Silvia Cavagnero, Honorable Mention winner with graphite, white chalk, and ink painting “Amnesia”
Megan Forsythe, Honorable Mention winner with acrylic on canvas painting “Blue Hair and Pronouns”.

The Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) held its reception on Friday, May 12 that announced its State and Honorable Mention award winners. Artists in the non-professional Wisconsin-only show were judged by
award-winning multi-faceted artist Larry Schultz to receive either an Honorable Mention award or a State Award. Honorable mention awards are given to artists who exemplified talents deserving of recognition while State award winners are invited to take their artwork to Madison, WI for the State Exhibition and Conference with the
Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA). This year, state winners will display their artwork at the Pyle Center in Madison during the conference which is scheduled for September 22-23, 2023.

To learn more about the State Exhibition and Conference:
https://wiscartists.wildapricot.org/State-Conference

Artists were judged on the following criteria to earn an award: originality, expression, content, composition, design, color, and technique. Honorable Mention winners had at least one area of the aforementioned criteria that needed improvement while State award winners held excellence in all the criteria.

Whitewater WRAP Honorable Mention Award winners are:
● Silvia Cavagnero’s “Amnesia” (Madison, WI)
● Megan Forsythe’s “Blue Hair and Pronouns” (Stoughton, WI)
● Jeff Mann’s “Brandy and Tiny” (Wales, WI)
● Laura Strehlow’s “Autumn Leaves” (Cambridge, WI)

Whitewater WRAP State Award winners are:
● Mary Bughman’s “Fall Thought” (Whitewater, WI)
● Judith Buzzell’s “Wolf #5” (Delavan, WI)
● Sue Herring’s “Carver’s Rock Reflections” (Milton, WI)
● Roy Schmidt’s “Pink” (Waterford, WI)

All artwork will be on display in the gallery through May 28, Thursdays thru Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center–402 W. Main St. The show is also viewable online on the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) webpage:
https://www.whitewaterarts.org/wrap-2023.

Dean of the College of Arts & Communication Named

Michael Dugan


After the completion of a national search, Provost John Chenoweth is pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Dugan has been appointed to serve as the Dean of the College of Arts and Communication effective July 1, 2023.

As a distinguished teaching scholar and musician, Dr. Dugan has served the college as Associate Professor and Professor as well as Chair of the Department of Music.  Dr. Dugan served the college most recently as Interim Associate Dean.

Dr. Dugan earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts and Masters of Music Degree from the University of Minnesota.

Provost Chenoweth would like to thank everyone who provided feedback during the interview process as well as the members of the Search and Screen Committee, chaired by Dean Paul Ambrose, for their extensive work on this search.

Provost Chenoweth would also like to thank Robert Mertens, MFA, for his service in the role of Interim Dean.  Mr. Mertens will resume his role as Associate Dean of the College. 

Please join Provost Chenoweth in welcoming Dr. Dugan to his new position!

Editor’s note: The above announcement was posted at UW-Whitewater on May 23.

Whitewater Resident Charged with Armed Robbery of BP/Raceway Food Mart

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

Per Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Willie Hearn III, age 68, of 370 N. Tratt St., #124, was charged on May 22 in Walworth County with a Class C Felony, Armed Robbery with Threat of Force, in connection with a robbery that occurred on May 19 at the BP/Raceway Food Mart at 1138 W. Main Street. Hearn was additionally charged with five misdemeanors: two counts of Resisting or Obstructing an Officer and one count each of Disorderly Conduct, Possession of Cocaine/Coca and Possess Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on a $25,000 cash bond and will have an initial appearance on May 24. Upon conviction, a Class C felony is punishable by up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000.00, or both (Wis. Stat. sec. 939.50(3)(c)). Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

The Whitewater Police Department press release concerning the incident may be viewed on the Banner here.

Obituary: Heather Marie Anderson, 42

Heather Marie Anderson, 42, Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at home surrounded by her family.

Heather was born on November 28, 1980 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Suzette (Hoeper) and Alan Weckerly Jr. 

On July 19, 2003 she married Robert Anderson.

She enjoyed many things such as spending time with her family and kids, Nursing, being around people, and of course shopping.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Anderson; parents, Alan Jr. (Patricia) and Suzette (Hoeper) Weckerly; grandparents, Joan Hoeper and Alan Weckerly Sr.; children, Alissa and Alex Anderson; brothers, Chris (Daisy) Weckerly, Sean (Jessie) Weckerly, and Travis Weckerly; stepsister, Elizabeth (Sean) Brickley; sisters-In-Law, Michele (Thad) Elmore and Angela (Johnathan) Atkielski; brother-in-law, Steven Anderson; father and mother-in-law, Glen and Lynn Anderson.

Heather was proceeded in death by her grandpa, Vernon Harper; grandma; Diana Weckerly, and grandpa, Vinton Anderson.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 4 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church, Whitewater, WI. Friends may call to the church prior to the service from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Veterans’ Graves to Be Decorated on Thursday; Community Assistance Welcome

In recognition of Memorial Day and to honor our deceased veterans’ sacrifices to keep America free, the Whitewater American Legion Post 173, with assistance from community members, will be decorating veterans’ graves at Hillside Cemetery, 400 S. Wisconsin St., on Thursday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m. Participants will gather on the hill inside the second gate. All are welcome to participate in the event.