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Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Lt. Col. John A. Palese Jr.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the office of the governor.
 
Gov. Tony Evers on November 12 signed Executive Order #140 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., Nov. 15, 2021, in honor of Lt. Col. John A. Palese Jr. of West Bend, who lost his life in the line of duty after contracting COVID-19. 

“The news of John’s passing is deeply tragic, and Kathy and I extend our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, and everyone who knew him,” said Gov. Evers. “We are thinking of them as they mourn John’s passing and honor his memory.”

Palese passed away on Oct. 17, 2021, at the age of 66, after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He served in the United States Air Force, United States Air Force Reserve, the 128th Aerial Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, and in the Persian Gulf War. Palese also served as an American Airlines pilot, line check airman, federal flight deck officer, and as an aviation instructor. After retiring from American Airlines and the Wisconsin Air National Guard, Palese became a law enforcement officer, serving his community most recently as administrative captain for the Town of Hartford Police Department. 

Interment with military honors will be held on Mon., Nov. 15, 2021, in Union Grove. 

First Kwik Trip Still On Schedule; Will Be Open 24/7; Overview of Company History/Operations Provided

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

Kwik Trip’s David Ring addressing the Greater Whitewater Committee at 7 a.m. (!) on November 11.

David W. Ring, Kwik Trip Community Relations Manager, addressed the Greater Whitewater Committee on November 11 with an overview of the company’s history and operations, as well as their plans for their two upcoming Whitewater stores. As had previously been announced, Ring confirmed that the roundabout location will open on December 9, with the grand opening on December 15. The Janesville Street/Highway 59 location will open on January 20. Although both stores are expected to be open 24/7, Ring indicated that early morning hours might ultimately be adjusted depending upon traffic counts. As “Generation 3 stores,” the buildings will both be approximately 9200 square feet and will include car washes. 50-60 people will be employed, about 40% of whom will be fulltime. Hiring is still underway, with Ring particularly emphasizing that they are seeking three assistant managers, with excellent advancement opportunities.

Greater Whitewater Committee and guests listening to Ring

Kwik Trip was founded in 1965 by the Hansen and Zietlow families in Eau Claire. Since 2000 it has been owned entirely by the Zietlow family, with the fourth generation now part of the management. The company has experienced rapid growth: in 1986 there were 100 stores; 2000 – 300 stores; 2016 – 500 stores. By the end of the year over 800 stores will be in operation. 467 stores are currently in Wisconsin, with only two in Illinois and the remainder in Minnesota or Iowa. The Iowa and Illinois stores are named Kwik Star in order to avoid confusion with the Quik Trip brand. Employment totals 32,000 people, serving an average of 9.5 million “guests” per week. The average store sells 850 baked goods, 200 hot beverages, and 170 cold beverages per day.

Significant developments in recent years include the introduction of hot food in 2003, the major expansion in the Madison market in 2017-20 with the purchase of the PDQ and Stop & Go chains, and the entry into take home meals and fried chicken beginning in 2020.

According to Ring, CEO Don Zietlow is so insistent on the importance of clean, well-stocked restrooms that it’s the only place in the store where his name and phone number are posted. Air pumps are provided at no charge, and there is no fee to use the ATMs.

The company’s vertical integration is unusual in the convenience store market. Zietlow likes to say, “we make it, deliver it, and sell it,” as it’s claimed that the company makes 80% of the products sold. Ring acknowledged that they have experienced some “supply chain” issues recently. The 130 acre headquarters in La Crosse has 14 buildings and 85 loading docks, with a bakery employing 395 people, a dairy with 155, and a kitchen with 530. A fulltime USDA inspector is onsite, and the 7 day per week inhouse lab facility conducts over 3000 tests weekly. The 550 truck drivers log 32 million miles per year.

Employees share 40% of the profits, including through an annual bonus. “Coworkers” are told “you’re empowered to make it right,” and many voluntarily participate in a payroll deduction that provides funds for fellow employees who are in need due to something like a fire or a health crisis. The company employs a social worker to administer the program.

Ring admitted that as he drove around Whitewater he was “surprised that we aren’t already here.” It won’t be long before local residents have the opportunity to hear “see you next time.”

Carol McCormick: Pair of Bald Eagles Overlooking Trippe Lake Restoration

Our Readers Share

Carol McCormick writes, “A pair of Bald Eagles overlooking Trippe Lake restoration. Thumbs (talons ) up!”

Our thanks to Carol McCormick for sharing another interesting photo.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage.  Thanks for thinking about this!

Chamber of Commerce Welcomes ReVamp Nutrition to the Whitewater Business Community

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce.


The Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new member business, ReVamp Nutrition, to the business community in Whitewater.


Revamp Nutrition is a new Smoothie and Juice bar that is providing healthy and tasty meal options for
residents of Whitewater. “We’re thrilled to welcome ReVamp Nutrition to our community and as a new
member of the Chamber,” says Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kellie
Carper. “The store is beautiful and welcoming and is just what we need to help our get downtown
reenergized after the challenges of the last year and a half.”


The Chamber and its ambassadors welcomed owner Jerrica Newby and her staff with an official ribbon
cutting on November 8th. The business held its official grand opening on Saturday, November 6th and Newby expressed that she “is excited to meet more of the community as we navigate the
challenges and rewards of starting a new business.”


“Revamp Nutrition looks forward to partnering with the Whitewater Chamber and strengthening our
relationship with the Whitewater Community” says Newby. “We invite the community to come and
enjoy the healthy drinks and snacks we are crafting. We are looking forward to meeting you!”


ReVamp Nutrition is located in the heart of downtown Whitewater at 133 W. Center Street, Suite C. They
are open Monday – Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. They have just what you need to fill
you with healthy energy and get your day started right!


For additional information about the newest Chamber member and learn what they area all about,
contact Newby at jnewby254@gmail.com or stop by to get in on the good vibes!

Foucault Breaks Own School Record at State Meet

Grace Foucault swam an impressive race Friday night at the State Meet! For the second time this season, she broke her previous 100 Backstroke school record with a time of 1:00.69, placing fifteenth in Division 2.

Congratulations on a successful season and competing in state. We cannot wait to see what you accomplish next year!

Article Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Gina Foucault

No. 3 Warhawk Football Finishes Unbeaten Regular Season

By Chris Lindeke, Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding, UW-W

November 13, 2021

Final Stats: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/uwwsports.com/documents/2021/11/13/26622.pdf

The No. 3 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team rushed for a season-high 372 yards and totaled 599 yards of offense Saturday to close the regular season with a 56-10 victory at UW-Stevens Point in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game.

With the win, the Warhawks (10-0 overall, 7-0 WIAC) clinched the WIAC championship outright one week after punching their ticket to the NCAA Playoffs, which begin next Saturday. UW-W will learn its first-round opponent during Sunday’s NCAA Selection Show, which is slated for 4:30 p.m. Central Time on NCAA.com.

Alex Peete posted 10 carries for 131 yards and two touchdowns, while Max Meylor passed for 195 yards and three scores. Jaylon Edmonson ran for 121 yards and one touchdown, Ryan Wisniewski tallied six receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown, and Derek Kumerow caught five passes for 72 yards and one score.

Nate Tyley paced the defense with five tackles, including one for a loss. Hawk Heffner and Kyle Koelblinger registered four tackles apiece.

After the Pointers (2-8, 0-7) kicked a field goal on their first drive of the game, Peete took a handoff from Meylor on the second offensive play from scrimmage and ran 67 yards for a touchdown to give UW-W a 7-3 lead with 11:53 to play in the first quarter.

Egon Hein helped preserve the Warhawks’ lead with an interception on the first play of the next drive following a 57-yard kickoff return into UW-W territory by UW-Stevens Point.

Kumerow scored on a 2-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to cap an 11-play, 70-yard drive by the Warhawks for a 14-3 advantage.

After a Pointer punt, UW-Whitewater drove 69 yards on 13 plays, including a third-and-16 conversion on a 24-yards pass from Meylor to Wisniewski and a fourth-and-1 conversion, as Peete made it 21-3 with 4:39 remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run.

The Warhawks closed the half with an eight-play, 80-yard drive in just under two minutes to take a 28-3 lead into halftime. Meylor hit Wisniewski for a 7-yard score with just 11 seconds left in the period.

UW-Stevens Point cut its deficit to 28-10 on the opening drive of the second half, but UW-Whitewater responded following Edmonson’s 50-yard kickoff return. Meylor hit Kumerow for a 25-yard touchdown to bring the lead back to 25 points with 10:08 on the clock in the third.

Following a three-and-out, Peete’s 45-yard run set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Meylor to Michael Berentes with 6:49 to play in the quarter. The Warhawks made it 49-10 on the next drive as Edmonson scampered 97 yards, the team’s longest play from scrimmage of the season, for a touchdown following a defensive stand from the 2-yard line.

Evan Lewandowski, who entered the game at quarterback for Meylor late in the third quarter, led UW-Whitewater on a nine-play, 48-yard drive capped on a 1-yard touchdown run by Preston Strasburg with 3:45 remaining in the contest.

NCAA Division III Cross Country: Warhawk Men Punch Ticket to National Meet

By Chris Lindeke, Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding, UW-W

Saturday, November 13, 2021

Warhawk Men Punch Ticket to National Meet; Women 22nd at Regional

Men’s Results

Women’s Results

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s and women’s cross country teams competed Saturday at the NCAA North Regional at Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, Wis.

The Warhawk men topped the 29-team field, edging UW-La Crosse by one team point, to earn the region’s automatic bid to next week’s NCAA Championship. UW-W will compete at the national meet as a team for the first time since 2003.

The Warhawk women placed 22nd out of 32 teams.

Five UW-Whitewater men earned All-North Region honors, including event winner David Fassbender, who posted a season-best time of 24:34.05, and runner-up Christian Patzka, who trailed Fassbender by only four-tenths of a second with his result of 24:34.48, a personal record.

Fassbender is the first regional champion in program history.

Gunner Schlender placed sixth overall in the 219-runner field, crossing the finish line in a career-best 24:44.80. Justin Krause and Kyle Neuroth finished 24th and 25th, respectively, with personal record marks. Krause tallied a 25:03.98, and Neuroth registered a 25:04.36.

Christian Seagren placed 43rd overall with his career-best time of 25:35.99, and Chris Allen completed the race in 27:26.20, good for 137th place.

Ari De La Cerda led the UW-Whitewater women, placing 51st overall out of 226 competitors with her career-best time of 23:24.18. Paige Fassbender finished 75th with her personal-record mark of 23:50.68, and Roxanne Temple crossed the finish line in a career-best 24:03.38, good for 86th place.

Sarah Niehuester and Jill Cavanaugh placed 161st and 164th, respectively. Niehueser recorded a season-best 25:35.91, and Cavanaugh raced to a season-best 25:39.26.

Alyssa Dobbs clocked a season-best time of 26:32.71 to finish 190th, and Samantha Pieper broke her personal record by more than 30 seconds with her result of 26:43.43, good for 196th overall.

The NCAA Division III Championship is slated for next Saturday, Nov. 20, with the men’s 8K beginning at 10 a.m. Central Time at the Tom Sawyer Course in Louisville, Ky. Check back next week for a preview of the event.

Kilar Named WVCA All-State Honorable Mention

Congratulations to Kindyl Kilar for being selected by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association as a member of the All-State Honorable Mention Team!  We are proud of you!

Article Submitted by Kathy Bullis
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
kbullis@wwusd.org
Whippet Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Library Selected for National NASA@ My Library STEAM initiative

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.

Irvin L. Young Memorial Library selected for national NASA@ My Library STEAM programming initiative

Whitewater’s Irvin L. Young Memorial Library has been selected through a competitive application process to be part of NASA@ My Library, an education initiative created to increase and enhance STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning opportunities for library patrons throughout the nation, including geographic areas and populations currently underrepresented in STEAM education.

“Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is one of just 60 libraries nationwide to be part of this initiative, and we are excited to have been selected,” said Torrie Thomas, Programming and Makerspace Librarian. “We look forward to introducing STEAM concepts to our younger patrons and to exploring the universe with people of all ages during our programs in 2021 and 2022.”

As a NASA@ My Library Partner, Irvin L. Memorial Young Library will hold public programs that explore NASA science and technology, specifically around NASA’s newest next-generation telescope launch (December 2021), the first telescope images (spring/summer 2022), and as part of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (summer 2022). More information, including information and dates, will be available in the coming months at whitewaterlibrary.org.

Approximately 150 libraries applied to be part of the program.

As part of this initiative, public library staff will receive training and resources to implement NASA events and programming, access to a university Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support patron engagement, and $1,600 for programming expenses.

These resources, along with support by the NASA@ My Library team, will enable Irvin L. Young Memorial Library to conduct excellent NASA STEAM programming and activities. NASA@ My Library will create compelling learning experiences for Whitewater’s community and share the story, science and adventure of NASA’s scientific explorations of planet Earth, our solar system, and the universe beyond.

NASA@ My Library is offered by the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) at the Space Science Institute (SSI) in partnership with the ALA Public Programs Office, Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) and Education Development Center (EDC). This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under cooperative agreement No. NNX16AE30A. This work was also assisted and supported by the Space Science Institute, which was the recipient of the cooperative agreement. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA or the Space Science Institute. 

Community Invited to St. Patrick Thanksgiving Dinner / Comunidad Invitada a la cena de Accion de Gracias de San Patricio


Editor’s note: The following information was provided by St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Saint Patrick Annual 2021 Thanksgiving Dinner
November 25, 2021
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Berry Hall (Upstairs)
Please enter from parking lot doors.
Eat in or carry out.
Dinner is Free!
Dinner includes turkey, dressing, mashed
potatoes and gravy, vegetables, green
beans, corn, cranberries, lots of desserts.

Comida Anual de San Patricio 2021
Día de Acción de Gracias
25 de noviembre, 2021
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Berry Hall (planta alta)
Favor de entrar por las puertas que dan al estacionamiento.
Para comer aquí o para llevar
¡La comida es gratuita!
La comida incluye pavo, aderezo, puré de
papa y salsa, vegetales, elote, arándanos,
Ensalada, y muchos postres.

The image on the homepage, “Sliced Turkey Dinner, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans” by diettogo1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.