Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s International Student Association invites the Whitewater Community to attend the 40th International Dinner on Friday, March 11, 2022, at 5:30 pm in the Hamilton Room of the University Center. Tickets can be purchased at the Goodhue front desk, 709 W. Starin Rd., for $10. Tickets cover the meal and entertainment.
Editor’s Note: The following information was received from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
State of the University Address postponed
University community,
With some faculty, staff and students working and learning remotely today due to the inclement weather, I am postponing the State of the University Address. This will ensure that more folks can enjoy the event in person and that our colleagues can be appropriately honored.
A new date for the event will be announced soon. I look forward to celebrating our achievements with you.
Thank you,
Jim Henderson
Interim Chancellor
Everyone is invited to join University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Interim Chancellor Jim Henderson at the annual State of the University Address at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Young Auditorium. The presentation will feature an overview of priorities for the coming year, as well as honor our university colleagues and recent achievements.
UWW-TV will livestream the event at uwwtv.org.
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2022 will occur on Monday, February 21. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. (From history.com)
Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by Walworth County.
The Public Involvement Meetings will take place:
“We know the County’s open spaces and parks are really important to our residents,” says Matthew Mortwedt, Walworth County deputy director, asset management. “We want to ensure that everyone who is interested in doing so has the opportunity to share their thoughts, concerns, and questions about the revised Park and Open Space Plan (POSP).”
The purpose of the County’s POSP is to protect existing natural resources and guide the acquisition and development of lands and facilities needed to meet the outdoor recreation needs of current and future residents. Key proposals from the revised plan include:
Feedback from the public involvement meetings will be incorporated into the final plan revision before being formally presented for adoption by the Walworth County Park Committee and the Board of Supervisors. The plan will tentatively go before the Park Committee for approval at its April 2022 meeting, followed by final approval by the County Board of Supervisors in May.
A draft of the Walworth County Park and Open Space Plan is available on the Walworth County Public Works website. Registration is not required to attend. Those wishing to submit comments remotely may do so by contacting Matthew Mortwedt, deputy director, asset management, at mmortwedt@co.walworth.wi.us, (262) 741-3725.
The following map was provided by City Clerk Michele Smith. New city voting wards were required to be established based on the 2020 census. Questions may be directed to the clerk’s office at 262-473-0103.
The composition of the districts is shown below together with the current Councilmembers
Aldermanic District 1 – Wards 1, 2 & 3 – Carol McCormick
Aldermanic District 2 – Wards 9 & 10 – Lukas Schreiber
Aldermanic District 3 – Wards 4 & 5 – Brienne Brown
Aldermanic District 4 – Wards 6, 7 & 8 – Lynn Binnie
Aldermanic District 5 – Wards 11,12 & 13 – Gregory Majkrzak II
Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Update from the Library Expansion and Renovation Steering Committee
meeting of February 16, 2022
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
This will be a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82166872551?pwd=YjRINDJwYk5JOEtYN3VOQ2FFK1NoZz09
Meeting ID: 821 6687 2551
Passcode: S7aT0uvJ
Or by phone 1 312 626 6799
Passcode: 43406614
Whitewater Unified School District Calendar Committee – Tuesday @ 3:45 p.m. – RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 7
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
William D. Kyle Board Room
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner)
City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Lakes Dredging Project Updates And Discussion
Due to Coronavirus Concerns, this will be a VIRTUAL MEETING. (not in person). Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join via computer, smartphone or telephone. Citizens participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/156319901
You can also dial in using your phone.
1 (571) 317-3122
Access Code: 156-319-901
City of Whitewater Community Involvement & Cable TV Commission Virtual Meeting – Wednesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/275054085
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Access Code: 275-054-085
City of Whitewater Finance Committee Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. (Rescheduled from Tuesday due to weather)
Agenda
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Cravath Lakefront Meeting Room- 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/902290837
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 902-290-837
“The Harpies” & “Signor Deluso” one-act operas directed by Bruce Cohen and musical director Robert Gehrenbeck
February 20 and 26 at 2:00 p.m. & February 22 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Barnett Theatre, Greenhill Center of the Arts
Two one-act operas for one evening of musical enjoyment. “The Harpies” focuses on Phineus, a sightless oracle, whose attempts to enjoy his dinner are thwarted by the Harpies. An operatic spoof of Greek mythology, this opera will leave you laughing and wondering who will win the battle of wills. “Signor Deluso” is a comedy of layered misunderstandings. Signor Deluso rushes to revive Célie after she faints in the town square, leading his wife to think they are lovers. Célie is being forced to marry wealthy Valère, but she is in love with another. Just when everything appears to be hopelessly embroiled, the maid enters in the nick of time and saves the day. This performance is funded in part by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, Inc., New York, NY.
The following local students are members of the one-act operas.
Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance at tickets.uww.edu or by calling 262-472-2222. Donations can be made to support the Department of Theatre/Dance by visiting uww.edu/foundation/how-to-give/theatre-dance-program.
For additional information about the UW-Whitewater Department of Theatre/Dance visit uww.edu/theatre.
Editor’s note: The following press release was provided by Sheriff Troy Knudson
Rock County Sheriff Troy Knudson Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2023
As the election process for 2023 begins, I wish to convey that I will not be seeking re-election to the Office of Sheriff and I believe that it is important to make my intentions known early in the process to ensure that the community has sufficient time to thoroughly evaluate potential successors for the Office.
It has been an incredible honor and privilege to have been able to work at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office for the past thirty-three years. This has been a wonderful and meaningful career that I have truly enjoyed. The opportunity to serve as Sheriff since 2019 was certainly a highlight of that career and I cannot fully express the humble and profound appreciation that I have for the citizens of Rock County who elected me to that position.
During the past few years, we have faced some significant challenges but despite differing perspectives and philosophies, our community has responded with restraint and positivity. This has allowed the Sheriff’s Office to focus on making the necessary changes in policing and correctional strategies to best respond to these challenges. Additionally, we have been able to help other communities who needed our assistance to get through these difficult times. While the national narrative may have been negative, locally, we have felt strong community support for which I give my sincere thanks.
In addition to external challenges, we have been very busy at the Sheriff’s Office internally. We have been working hard on planning for the replacement of the 1929 Pinehurst portion of our facility and developing how the design of that new space could prepare us in the future to better meet the needs of our community. We have been shifting the focus of the jail more towards treatment and rehabilitation than it has been in the past, by increasing programming, mental health and re-entry resources for inmates. We have been focused on being transparent to our community through the implementation of a body camera program, both on patrol and in the jail. We have also overhauled our policies to ensure that they comply with current standards and conform to best practices to protect the county from liability and provide the best service that we can.
While all of these challenges and projects have been daunting, I have been incredibly proud of the response of our staff. They have combined their training and expertise with a strong drive to get the job done and they have performed admirably and accomplished a great deal. In addition to their hard work, they have been assisted by so many – the County Board and Administration, other county agencies, local law enforcement, fire and EMS, citizens, and the list goes on. Having their guidance and support has helped us to answer challenges and accomplish what we have.
I have great confidence in the team that we currently have and the generations that are coming to meet the challenges of the future. I know that the Sheriff’s Office will be left in good hands and will be successful moving forward. I still enjoy the job and have incredible appreciation for my previous and current co-workers; however, I am now looking forward to the joys and opportunities that retirement has to offer.
Thank you all for the support that you have given me through the years and I wish everyone well in the future!
Sheriff Troy Knudson
Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.
Lorrie Koppein, of the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, was recently honored with the George F. Hixson Fellowship award. Named for Kiwanis International’s first president, Hixson Fellowships are a way of recognizing those who have made extraordinary contributions to Kiwanis’ history of generosity in helping children in the community and the world.
Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club President Patrick Taylor said, “Lorrie Koppein has been an essential member of the Club for many years. She served as president for two terms and has been involved in all aspects of Kiwanis’ mission. She has chaired the Pancake Breakfast for years, and is chairing the Starin Park All Inclusive Playground Project, which will launch this summer. She also serves as President of the Whitewater Kiwanis Foundation.”
In addition to her many years of service to the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, Koppein is also serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Division 4 of the Kiwanis Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District.
“Lorrie has spent countless hours dedicating her life to help the children of Whitewater and beyond. Our community is very fortunate to have her caring, devoted spirit and helping hands,” said Taylor.
Hixson Fellowships are awarded to donors who give $1,000 or more to the Children’s Fund. The Whitewater Kiwanis Club contributed in honor of Koppein.
Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club is made up of dedicated volunteers, like Koppein, who help children in the Whitewater community and the world, all with funds raised going directly to projects helping improve the lives of children in the community and the world. Each year, the club distributes approximately $20,000, with over half going to the Whitewater Unified School District, including shoes and scholarships. Kiwanis helped to build the Flowing Well Shelter, the shelter and upcoming accessible playground at Starin Park and Treyton’s Field of Dreams, the WHS football field lights and press box, as well as adopting a highway to clean up. In addition, the group donates to the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Family Partnership Fund, the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, Camp Wawbeek, and more.
More information can be found on the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Facebook page. If you are interested in joining the club, helping the children and having fun at the same time, contact us!
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
ABBA: Their Music and Their Fans. Virtual Discussion
Wednesday, March 9, 5:00 pm, Whitewater time
Wednesday, March 9, 5:00 pm, Whitewater time
Link: https://uww.webex.com/uww/j.php?MTID=mc9f4b62592e626fff6ceea0614674d4c
Description: Join us for a fun virtual discussion about the international music sensation ABBA and their long-time appeal among fans. At 5:00 p.m., Dr. John Eason will share with us about ABBA within its cultural and sociological context as an international pop music phenomenon, as well as its iconic status within the gay community. Dr. Eason is Associate Lecturer of Scandinavian Studies at the University of Alberta where he teaches a 300-level course about ABBA titled: “Mamma Mia, (Queer) I Go Again!” After virtual discussion will be a virtual reception/party to meet the speaker, connect with friends / alumni, and have fun.
Virtual Reception/Party:
ABBA: Their Music and Their Fans.
6:30 p.m., Whitewater time
Link: https://app.wonder.me/?spaceId=c714e139-9333-444b-bd6c-4fa4813174c5
Sponsored by:
UWW Office of International Students and Scholars
UWW Office of Global Experiences
UWW PB Poorman PRIDE Center
UWW Division of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Support Programs