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Obituary: Scott Jon Piddington, 79, of Durham, NC

Scott Jon Piddington, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on Sunday, January 23 in Durham, North Carolina at the age of 79.

Scott was born February 15, 1942, to Percy and Margaret Piddington (Gundlach) in Viroqua, Wisconsin. After college and three years in the Marine Corps, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he met the love of his life, Jennifer Piddington (Valetti). They were married on August 11, 1972, and welcomed three daughters beginning in 1974; Andrea Ellen Piddington, Amie Marie Piddington, and Marci Piddington Hansen.

Scott was the original “girl dad” and taught his daughters the value of hard work, curiosity, and independence. His favorite response to their questions about almost anything was often, “Go look it up.” Scott and Jennifer moved to her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1973, where Scott very quickly became a lifelong Steelers fan and spent most Sunday afternoons watching football games with his family, all yelling at the TV.

In 1989, Scott and his family moved to Durham, North Carolina for a new job, beginning a new adventure as a family. He retired from his lifelong sales and service career in the engineering industry in 2013 at the age of 70. The birth of his first granddaughter, Julia, in 2010 was one of the happiest moments of his life, followed by Lyla in 2013, who, much to his delight, shared his love of newspaper comics; he loved being Papa to Julia and Lyla. Scott was an animal lover, and greatly adored his dogs and granddogs as well.

Scott was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Gundlach Piddington, father, Percy Allen Piddington, and stepmother Vera Haney Piddington. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jennifer Piddington (Valetti), his daughters, Andrea Ellen Piddington, Amie Marie Piddington, and Marci Piddington Hansen (Corey Hansen), and his two granddaughters, Julia Jane Hansen and Lyla Drew Hansen, brother Bruce Piddington, brother Richard Haney, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A visitation for Scott is planned for Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main St., Durham, NC 27701; all are invited to attend. The funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 810 W Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701.

In lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Scott’s lifelong love of animals can make donations in Scott’s memory to Saving Grace Animals for Adoption (https://savinggracenc.org/).

Whippet Wrestlers Win Monroe Invitational

On Saturday, January 22, the Whitewater Wrestling Team traveled to Monroe, Wisconsin, to participate in the 39th annual Monroe Invitational. This is an outstanding event as the personnel in Monroe do a great job, and there is some great competition from the Western part of Wisconsin.

Whitewater wrestled very well throughout the day. After the semi-final round, the team found themselves in 2nd place, but the consolation semi-finals are very important in team races, as it determines who goes for 3rd and who goes for 5th. The Whippets rose to the occasion and won many of the matches contested in that round. In the final round of the tournament, Whitewater had 3 in the finals, 6 in the bronze medal match, and 3 in the 5th place match. Whitewater also claimed the team championship over the other 10 participating schools.

  • Medalists
  • Team Champions

Bringing home championships for Whitewater were Carter Friend and Mason DePorter. Each of them wrestled very well throughout the day. Mason ended the day having pinned all three of his opponents. Aaron Porras came up just short in the championship in a hard-fought match against his opponent from Darlington.

Bringing home bronze medals for Whitewater were Jarvis Porcaro, Jason Villegas, Marcus DePorter, and Payton Lyon. All four of these gentlemen wrestled well. Jason Villegas wrestled the best that I have seen him wrestle in his career, and he is starting to put things together very well. He started off the day with a nice pin and then had a very hard-fought victory to win the bronze medal. Payton Lyon was able to avenge his first round loss by defeating the same opponent in an excellent match for 3rd place. DePorter battled back after a tough semi-final loss to have two dominating wins in the consolations to claim 3rd, as did Jarvis Porcaro. Jarvis had three really nice wins on the day on the way to his bronze medal.

The coaching staff was very pleased with a job well done on the victory. It was truly a team effort. No matter where they placed on the podium, all points were a premium for the team.

This week the team travels to Beloit Turner on Tuesday to close out Conference duals, and on Thursday, the team travels to Oregon to take on the Panthers of the Badger Conference. 

Full results from Monroe

JV Qualifiers for Challenge Series Finals

The JV Wrestlers also had a great weekend! Qualifiers for the State JV Challenge Series Finals in Wausau included Ashly Xochipa, Traysen Thomason, Hector Arnodo (3rd place,) Yovanni Royas-Reyes, Sebastian Cuellar (5th place), and Armando Villarreal (5th place). Whitewater has had the opportunity to have students qualify for this event in years past, but this is the first year we have brought home medal winners. The competitors are in brackets with 24 competitors for their weight class so bringing home a medal is a great accomplishment.


Article and Photos Submitted by John Schimming,
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
File Photo on Main Page Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Free Take-Home Dinners for UW Students and Community at First United Methodist Church

“UNIVERSITY FREE LUNCH” UPDATE
(TGIFLT Thank God It’s Free Lunch Tuesday)

This spring, University Free Lunch will continue to be part of FUMC’s “Whitewater Responds.”
“Lunch” will be replaced with free, homemade, microwavable, take-home dinners distributed on Tuesday evenings, 5:00-7:00 pm, starting January 25, 2022.

WHO: UWW students, community members, anyone who would like a free, homemade, take-out meal

WHAT: FREE, homemade, take-out, microwavable dinners; no-strings-attached

WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 145 South Prairie Street, Whitewater, WI. Pull in the church parking lot on Prairie Street and watch for the signs. We will be serving our no-contact meals from a window on the side of the building.

WHEN: Tuesdays, 5:00-7:00 pm, starting January 25, 2022

You are welcome to pick up a meal for yourself, a friend in need, or a family.
We hope these changes in University Free Lunch will make your experience safer and less stressful.
Our freezers are stocked, and we look forward to serving you and all your friends!

Questions? Please call 262 473-2131 for additional information.

WHS Student Kayla Mikos Chosen to Attend WI Leadership Seminar

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Whitewater High School.

Kayla Mikos has been chosen to attend the Wisconsin Leadership Seminar at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin June 10-12, 2022! The Wisconsin Leadership Seminar is designed to encourage leadership development through emphasis on personal responsibility, service, inclusiveness, and decision-making. Congratulations Kayla!

Editor’s note: The following information is from the Wisconsin Leadership Seminars website.

Our Mission:To identify outstanding high school sophomores throughout Wisconsin for being responsible citizens in their community and/or school and provide them with the opportunity and encouragement to recognize their leadership potential.

We fulfill this mission through an annual 3-day leadership seminar that is provided at no cost to the students or schools. WILS encourages leadership development through emphasis on our four pillars:

  • Responsibility – Instill self-confidence and personal responsibility in leaders by guiding them to explore their personal values and develop a sense of purpose.
  • Service – Encourage leaders to volunteer their time to bring about positive change in their communities and schools.
  • Inclusiveness – Provide leaders with opportunities to engage with individuals who have diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences in order to explore ideas and build skills that are essential for success in our communities and in a globally-connected world.
  • Decision Making – Foster a positive, unbiased setting where leaders can practice forming opinions, making decisions, and engaging in open-minded analysis and discussion of the issues and challenges facing today’s world.

Upon completion of the three-day seminar, participants are invited to join the WILS Alumni Association. Through the Alumni Association, they are able to continue on a path that fosters the growth and development of their leadership skills, volunteerism, and community involvement to become successful, responsible contributors to society. Our alumni participate in leadership retreats throughout the year, perform volunteer service, interact with community leaders, and develop relationships with other ambitious individuals. As an organization WILS volunteers over 1,300 hours in our communities each year.

This Week’s City, School Board & Downtown Whitewater Meetings (UPDATED: CDA added; Parks & Rec Canceled)

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes “Burns at Walton Oaks or Effigy Mounds?”
Community Room – 1st Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.

Whitewater Unified School District Board – Monday @ 6:15 p.m. (Closed session) Open session @ 7:00 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
6:15 p.m.
———————————————–
6:15 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83874159599?pwd=djBKRjBVcFVuZGhBaW8vSFlMNEFEdz09
– Password: 367047
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 838 7415 9599
– Passcode: 367047
———————————————-
Closed Session: Agenda: “…. to discuss disciplinary data of a previous District employee.”
———————————————-
Open Session: Agenda: (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) – Includes Multilingual/English Language Learner Program, Response to Student Needs; Second Friday of January Student Count
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86526305681?pwd=YkVwWnkxVW54RU1EY0kweU8yTUtoUT09
– Passcode: 106535
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 865 2630 5681
– Passcode: 106535

Downtown Whitewater Board of Directors Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Downtown Whitewater is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82123775570?pwd=RllpV0FDVStOcTNKejczWVpYV3l
kdz09
Or dial 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 821 2377 5570
Passcode: 300835

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes 2022 General Obligation Bond Issuance
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://global.gotomeeting.com/join/222773469
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (669) 224-3412
Access Code: 222-773-469

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
NOTE: Meeting was canceled on Jan. 26.

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors Meeting – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Location: Innovation Center
1221 Innovation Drive in Room #202 or #205
This will be an IN-PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING.
Citizens are welcome and encouraged to join us in person,
or via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82730477436
Webinar ID: 827 3047 7436
Or Telephone: US: 1 301 715 8592 or 1 312 626 6799 or 1 929 205 6099 or 1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 827 3047 7436

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Original Foot Bridge to Washington School

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This week we have another winter image from an Andrew Scholl glass plate negative. This image is from around 1900 and is the original wooden foot bridge constructed over the railroad tracks to the Washington School. The foot bridge was built around 1890 to make a safer crossing for students going to what was then the East Side School.

By 1920, the bridge was unsafe and in 1922 the City of Whitewater finally convinced the railroad line (Milwaukee Road) to fund half of the cost to replace it. Once again, it was replaced in 1965. It has been a well-used east side landmark for 130 years. It may have been replaced again since 1965. Does anyone know the year?

Join us next week for another Scholl winter scene.

(#2967GP Whitewater Historical Society)

Cold Weather a Plus in Preparation for Dredging Lakes

Photos of “road” for heavy dredging equipment courtesy of Tom Ganser

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the City of Whitewater.

Work Schedule for week of January 24-28

Monday & Tuesday – 10 a.m. Monday through the evening as needed

Wednesday – Friday – 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. – anticipate hauling in and out of Trippe Lake (weather dependent).
The first week of the dredging process was to prep the lakes and has been weather dependent. This week, in order to safely drive the hauling trucks and machinery on the lakes, the ground must have at least 18 inches of frost. Because of the cold weather we have been experiencing, we are very close to hitting that number and anticipate hauling trucks on the lake later this week. Crews may work later into the evening to benefit from the colder weather. If the ground has not frosted over enough to safely drive on, mats will be laid out for clearing and building additional routes. Trippe Lake is freezing quicker than Cravath allowing for crews to work on Trippe this week and plan to begin working on hauling routes on Cravath in the upcoming week.

Obituary: Vicki Ann Powell, 54

Vicki Ann Powell, 54, of Whitewater passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Vicki was born and raised in Austin, Minnesota. She graduated with a degree in medical assisting in Wisconsin. She worked several years at the clinic in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Vicki was loving and strong-willed. She will be greatly missed by all who love her.

Vicki is survived by her significant other, Terrence Cunningham; kids, Allie (Rick) Born, Aaron (Ashley) Sherman, Josiah Cunningham; grandchildren, Sydney, Finley, Alonzo; mother, Cheryl (David) Stigney; siblings, Lisa (Paul) Sangineto, Kris (Vern) Maier, Laura (Bobby) Gladden, Steve (Kristie) Dennison, Todd Dennison, Kathy Brechtal, Melissa Root; aunt, Vickie Waltz; several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her brothers, Chad and Frankie Dennison.

The family plans to hold services at a later date in Minnesota.

May God Bless her soul.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Whitewater Area Students named to Dean’s Lists at UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, Univ. of Delaware, & Campbellsville Univ.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, University of Delaware, and Campbellsville University.

The following students from the Whitewater area have been named to their respective Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester:

Owen Kramer, UW-River Falls *
Naomi Allen, UW-Eau Claire **
Sophie Olson, University of Delaware *
Brianna Staebler, Campbellsville University *

*To be named to the Dean’s List, a full-time undergraduate must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 for the semester.
** To be named to the Dean’s list, a full-time undergraduate must earn a grade point average of at least 3.7 on a scale of 4.0 for the semester.