Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater FFA.
The Whitewater FFA is currently selling fruit, cheese, and sausage. If you would like to order any of these products to support our local FFA, please go to this site. https://app.fundraiseit.org/shop.php?code=10FA1C Orders are due, November 17th and product pickup is Dec. 15 at Whitewater High School.
The Whitewater FFA is an active agricultural leadership organization developing youth into the architects of our future.
The Whitewater Agricultural education program prepares students for successful careers in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Knudson is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer an additional Snowmobile Safety Education Course on December 11, 2021, at the Edgerton Conservation Club, 900 Stoughton Road, Edgerton, WI 53534.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1985, is required to complete this course to legally operate a snowmobile in places open to the public within the State of Wisconsin. It is also recommended that participants be at least 12 years of age, or turn 12 shortly following completion of the class.
Class size is limited to twenty-five (25) students. After completing the online enrollment form, you will receive a confirmation email with information on the mandatory in-person registration meeting.
Mandatory Registration: November 18th, at 6:00 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Class: December 11th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
There is a class fee of $10.00 per student, which will be collected at the in-person registration meeting. The underage student and a parent or legal guardian must attend the mandatory registration meeting in order for the student to take the course.
Please direct any questions to Deputy Eric Cisneros at eric.cisneros@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
Whitewater Unified School District is proud and honored to announce that Lakeview and Washington Elementary Schools were both ranked one of the best elementary schools in Wisconsin by U.S. News & World Report. Both elementaries placed among the top 30% of public elementary schools across the state.
The recently announced ranking list is the first-ever ranking for public elementary schools, after years of rankings for high schools across the nation. Lakeview and Washington’s high ranking means the schools have earned the right to display a U.S. News-trademarked Best Elementary School’s award “badge” on the school’s social media, website, signage, apparel and more.
Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Whitewater Superintendent stated, “This honor is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff and our principals. They are dedicated to every student, every day in a Unified Way.”
Banner note: The following information is from the U.S. News website. It appears that the rankings are based exclusively on reported proficiency in math and reading.
Lakeview Elementary is a public school located in Whitewater, WI, which is in a distant rural setting. The student population of Lakeview Elementary is 212 and the school serves PK-5. At Lakeview Elementary, 62% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 62% scored at or above that level for reading.The school’s minority student enrollment is 21%. The student-teacher ratio is 14:1, which is the same as that of the district.The student population is made up of 36% female students and 64% male students. The school enrolls 29% economically disadvantaged students. There are 15 equivalent full-time teachers and 0 full-time school counselors.
Washington Elementary is a public school located in Whitewater, WI, which is in a distant town setting. The student population of Washington Elementary is 345 and the school serves PK-5. At Washington Elementary, 57% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 52% scored at or above that level for reading.The school’s minority student enrollment is 44%. The student-teacher ratio is 13:1, which is better than that of the district. The student population is made up of 51% female students and 49% male students. The school enrolls 46% economically disadvantaged students. There are 26 equivalent full-time teachers and 1 full-time school counselor.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the UW-W Dept. of Theatre/Dance
Fall Season Closes With “She Kills Monsters” by Qui Nguyen
The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is pleased to announce the second show of the Theatre/Dance season is “She Kills Monsters” by Qui Nguyen. Directed by Sara J. Griffin, this production will run in Hicklin Studio Theatre from November 15 – 19 at 7:30 p.m. with the final performances on November 20 and 21 at 2:00 p.m. Socially distant seating will be available for the performances on November 18 and 20. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. Masks are required for anyone entering a campus building and each performance will have a social distance seating option. The Hicklin Studio Theatre is located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St. Do not come to campus if you are ill. For the most up to date campus safety information, visit the Warhawks are Back webpage at the link below. uww.edu/warhawks-are-back.
Meet Agnes, an average girl who wished her life had more adventure. After a family tragedy, she finds herself skeptically discovering the world of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) through her little sister’s eyes, getting much more than she bargained for on a journey of self-discovery and understanding. Combat, comedy, and love are at the heart of this fantastic campaign. Directed by Sara J. Griffin, Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
“What intrigues me the most about Agnes is how resilient she is. Even after a severely traumatic experience, Agnes perseveres in her goals and finds true happiness in different aspects of her life. It’s also intriguing about the idea of ‘battling’ against tragedy played into the D&D aspect of the play with ‘battling’ monsters!” Lindsay Bland, playing Agnes, describes her character and her D&D experience. “I’m still learning a lot about D&D, and all of the creatures in it are so unique and ever-changing. This production has taught me a bit more about the 1st and 2nd edition of D&D, the earliest forms of the game. There weren’t as many classes or races as there are now, and it’s interesting to see where the game started and where it is now.”
“First thing to think of for combat is maneuverability and durability,” Lydia Oestreich, the costume designer, describes the process of creating the costumes. “For this I made sure that everyone had flat or stable shoes to move in, and they received their shoes to practice in fairly early in the rehearsal process. I also made sure that a majority of the pants were jeans as they are the most durable material that you can get and will scuff but won’t tear too easy, you need to be doing some wicked things to do that to a barely used pair.”
The No. 9 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament Thursday afternoon with a 26-28, 25-13, 25-15, 25-12 victory against Ithaca (N.Y.) in a first-round match played at Calvin University’s Van Noord Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The Warhawks (27-2 overall) advance to the Grand Rapids Regional semifinal to face No. 24 Otterbein (Ohio), which defeated Westminster (Pa.) in three sets earlier Thursday. Friday’s second-round match will begin at 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
UW-Whitewater posted a .291 hitting percentage Thursday while holding the Bombers (16-14) to a .050 hitting percentage, and held advantages in service aces (9-4) and blocks (11-6).
Jenna Weinfurt tallied a team-high 12 kills to go with four blocks, while fellow outside hitter Erin McNeil registered 10 kills on a .529 hitting percentage with two blocks. Middle hitter Morgan Wardall collected 11 kills on a .412 hitting percentage, and Kirsten Anderson finished with eight kills, three digs and five blocks. Right side hitter Baylie Hansen matched Anderson with five blocks and added three kills.
Paige Manssen recorded a team-high 25 assists, while KellyAnn Sotiros totaled 22 assists, three service aces and two blocks.
Morgan Jensen paced the defense with 17 digs. Emma Aske contributed 12 digs, six kills and two service aces, and Hailey Mackenthun generated 10 digs and two service aces.
The Warhawks took an 18-12 lead in the first set, but Ithaca embarked on a 7-1 run to tie the set at 19-19. The two teams traded points, and UW-W had a pair of set points turned away. The Bombers scored the final three points to take a 1-0 match lead.
The two teams traded points in the second before UW-Whitewater gained separation midway through the set. Leading 17-13, the Warhawks ran off the final eight points of the set on Mackenthun’s serve to level the match at 1-1.
Ithaca held a 7-4 advantage in the third set before a 12-3 run gave UW-Whitewater a 16-10 lead. UW-W continued to gain separation, eventually leading by a 21-11 margin. Weinfurt put the set away with a kill on the final point.
The Warhawks jumped out to a 6-2 advantage in the fourth and didn’t look back. Mackenthun served UW-W to a 10-point lead, which grew to as many as 13.
Friday’s contest is a rematch of the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament, when Otterbein topped UW-Whitewater in four sets at the Chicago Regional. The Cardinals lead the all-time series between the two teams by a 2-1 margin.
Otterbein (24-5) is a Pool C (at-large) qualifier out of the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Tonia J. Eppers, age 47, of Whitewater, died on Saturday, November 6, 2021, in her home. She was born in Edgerton on April 29, 1974, the daughter of Michael and Shirley (Vaught) Dooley. She was a 1992 graduate of Elkhorn High School. She received her Master’s Degree from UW Whitewater in Speech Therapy in 2013. Tonia worked as a Speech Therapist at Kennedy Elementary for the Janesville School District. She loved her job and working with her students and her co-workers. Tonia married Jeffrey J. Eppers on February 11, 2006, in Whitewater. She was a former member of the Army Reserves, in which her unit was activated multiple times. She immensely enjoyed reading, going for hikes and spending time with family. Most of all, she was the best Mom ever!
Tonia is survived by her husband, Jeff; 2 daughters; Samantha LaBreche and Natalie LaBreche both of Whitewater; step-son, Keith Eppers of Liberty Lake, WA; mother, Shirley Dooley of Elkhorn; brother, Nathan Dooley of Elkhorn; sister, Lisa (Mel) Bjurstrom of Burlington; and many nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Dooley.
A Funeral Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 12, 2021, at APFEL EHLERT FUNERAL HOME, Edgerton. Visitation will take place on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave, MC 9945, Madison, WI 53792. For on-line condolences: www.apfelfuneral.com
(Source: Wikipedia) Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, that is, persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces (and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable). It coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
Rainbow Staff Honor Watertown Veteran for a Lifetime of Service
When Phillip Krueger enlisted in the United States Army at age 22, he wasn’t sure where his journey would take him. The year was 1960, and Phil had just finished two months of basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he became skilled in military communications.
He thought he would probably end up staying in the Midwest.
“They were taking applications for Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and they asked which one of those states I would like to go to and I said Michigan,” said Krueger.
But Phil soon found out he wouldn’t be going to Michigan after all. The last place he was expecting to be sent though was somewhere over 3,000 miles away.
“They tipped Michigan upside down and made Alaska out of it, I guess,” Krueger said.
While he was there, Phil worked as a switchboard operator to link up communications for units in the battle group throughout Alaska.
“We would go out in the field and I’d have all those companies switched into my board and I would supply that communication for them,” Krueger said. “I spent six months out there with line companies that were doing exercises on glaciers…glacier training.”
One of the downsides of being in Alaska, was the unpredictable Alaskan weather, with long periods of freezing to subzero temperatures, and lots of snow. That was enough to make any soldier want to retreat and find some momentary relief.
“We had certain boots and big heavy snowshoes so we were comfy,” Krueger said. “But it was also uncomfortable jumping in a sleeping bag with all your clothes and shoes on. You feel like you’re stuffed inside a baloney. We had a field trip we took and it was 60 below zero. And we had to supply our own heat. You try digging through two feet of snow for some dried branches. That’s not easy.”
During that time, the Cold War was rapidly heating up around the world between the United States and the Soviet Union. The shortest and most likely route of an attack from the Soviet Union was through Alaska, so it became America’s first line of defense and a perfect location for early-warning radar systems and the best place troops could train for ground and air combat to simulate weather conditions in the Soviet Union. In 1961, an attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro and the growing Communist threat in Cuba ended with a failed Bay of Pigs invasion.
By October 1962, the world was on the brink of nuclear war when U.S. surveillance planes detected that the Soviets had begun to place long-range nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles off Florida’s coast. Not only could those missiles reach the United States, but it was estimated those missiles could kill 80 million Americans within minutes. In what became known as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the U.S. then opted to set up a naval blockade on Cuba to prevent more offensive weapons from entering the country. Eventually, a tense 13-day standoff with secret negotiations ended without any military action, and the Soviet Union agreed to remove their missiles as long as the U.S. agreed to never invade Cuba again.
Thankfully, that situation never escalated to the point of any military combat missions for Phil while he was stationed in Alaska. But his job in communications and on the switchboard kept him busy and gave him a chance to see and experience the picturesque Alaskan frontier filled with gorgeous scenery and wildlife.
“Alaska was a nice clean state and you could do just about anything you wanted up there because there was not that much action,” Krueger said.
Phil still remembers the marching drills he and his fellow soldiers did around the camp carrying their M1 rifles and wishes they could have practiced that more. He enjoyed getting to know the guys in his group who were from all over the country.
“We had to make it a guys’ thing, so we’d go to clubs and the dancing on weekends to amuse ourselves and the beer was much cheaper then,” Krueger said.
When there was downtime, Phil found another way to make some extra money on the side.
“I was a barber up there too,” Krueger said. “It wasn’t hard cutting the guys’ hair, I did about 30 to 40 heads of hair.”
Phil wrote lots of letters back and forth to his girlfriend Sharon. They first met at a birthday party in Johnson Creek and then their relationship blossomed when he asked her out to go dancing in Ixonia a week later. They dated for about a year before he joined the Army.
“How Sharon could wait that long for someone is beyond me,” Krueger said.
But Sharon did wait. Once Phil returned home to Wisconsin, it wasn’t long before he and Sharon were married in September 1964. Phil then started working in carpentry, had a little stint hanging ceiling tiles at the former Northwestern College in Watertown, and also had a job at Heavy Duty. He also helped his in-laws work their farm. Having been born and raised on a farm in Lebanon, farming was his first love. That’s what gave Phil the desire to run his own farm and that’s what he did for over 20 years. In 1973, Phil and Sharon moved into that same farmhouse that Sharon grew up in, and there raised their two daughters, Sarah and Mary.
When he decided to give up farming, Phil got a job at Target Distribution Center in Oconomowoc and also worked as a head custodian at Park Lawn Elementary School. When he was cleaning up in the cafeteria one day noticed some children were not receiving hot lunch because their parents couldn’t afford it. He and his wife Sharon decided they wanted to help somehow and decided to “adopt” a family with three children to make sure their school lunches were paid for the rest of the school year.
“It started out as just lunch and then it escalated. We started with only 100 dollars,” Krueger said.
That led to other staff members stepping up and donating some money and the cause became known as the “Phil Fund.” Besides free lunches, the fund also provided Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter meals to working families. It wasn’t long before Christmas presents, winter clothing, gift certificates to local grocery stores, and money for medical bills, medications, and doctor visits were also added to the mix.
The Phil Fund is no longer in existence today but it helped increase school and community involvement and inspired others to step up and give back to make sure children didn’t go hungry. Back in the late 90s and early 2000s, free and reduced lunches for students didn’t exist in every school district. That’s why Phil’s job at Park Lawn Elementary touched his heart the most.
“That’s one of the best feelings there is, to help others,” Krueger said.
Phil lost his wife Sharon to an illness in 2015 and he helped care for her before she passed away. After that, Phil still had a passion to help others and decided to volunteer for the Watertown Unified School District in the elementary school buildings with the Ready, Set, Read! Program to help children with their reading skills.
“By serving in the Army, my dad was exposed to all different nationalities,” said his daughter, Sarah Miller.” By being with people on base and with all the new people he met, he learned what giving, sharing, and working together is all about.”
Phil has been battling lung cancer and when his health began to decline he didn’t want to leave his farmhouse that was full of special memories, but he knew he needed more care.
“We found out in December that the cancer had spread to the fluid around his lungs and at the end of August he got a little bit weaker,” Miller said.
Rainbow Hospice Care stepped in to provide home hospice service in August and then a month later, after talking it over with his family and Rainbow social worker, Emily Marx, Phil decided to come to Rainbow Hospice Care’s Inpatient Center (IPC) in Johnson Creek.
“What brought me here (to the IPC) faster was a wheelchair,” Krueger said. “I lose less oxygen if I’m just sitting in a wheelchair and it was easier breathing.”
“For him to go from point A to point B was too much work on his lungs and for his heart,” Miller said. “He would be huffing and puffing. Dad said he was ready for that step to get more care.”
Phil moved into the IPC in September so he could receive around-the-clock care. It’s also close enough for Sarah and her family to visit Phil multiple times per week.
“He likes it here,” Miller said. “It’s quiet, it’s peaceful. I love all the staff, I love all the ladies here. I’ve gotten to know them quite well. They understand my humor. They understand me.”
The IPC still has some of the comforts of home and Phil also developed a closeness with Rainbow’s Bereavement Counselor Laura Wessels.
“One day I was like, we’ll I’m going to come and meet who this Laura is because dad was like, ‘we had a really nice visit and had communion,’ Miller said. “Laura has been amazing, the top of the list.”
“I’m inspired by how Phil has lived life fully, caring for and celebrating others, especially his two daughters and his four grandchildren,” said Wessels. “He has truly lived a life of service.”
Phil certainly has been a hero in more ways than one, not just for his military service but the way he’s been giving back his whole life to his family, friends, neighbors, and his community. A few days after Phil arrived at the inpatient center the staff surprised him with a special veteran pinning ceremony. Rainbow volunteer John Phillips, also a veteran pinned Phil and gave him a salute and tribute for his service in the United States Army.
“Dad had no idea that it was going to happen,” Miller said. “He is honored to have served his country and he was very humbled that others were thinking of him. Dad’s pin for his service we put on his veteran’s cap and he has that with him in his room.”
Sarah, her husband Rob, and her sister Mary were there to witness the pinning and each received an angel pin, a patriotic-themed pin given to those that are special to a veteran patient being honored. Phil also received a fleece Army blanket that is sewn and tied together by several of Rainbow’s volunteers.
Sarah is happy that the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center is a place that her dad can go to receive quality, end-of-life.
“When dad first came here it was a change, it’s something new,” Miller said. “Everybody wants to do something for you. And dad is very independent, but if we need something the girls are right there. Plus, when your stomach rumbles while you’re here, they bring you cookies. They went into the kitchen and got me the homemade stash that Chef Sarah had made. At Rainbow, they take care of dad, but they also take care of the people that are visiting too.”
“We’re getting very good care here,” Krueger said. “I enjoy it.”
(Contributed by Kenyon Kemnitz, Rainbow Hospice Care)
Phil Krueger and his daughter, Sarah Miller, at the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center
Phil while he was working in the Army.
Phil being saluted by one of Rainbow’s veteran volunteers, John Phillips.
Rainbow Hospice Care is a community based not-for-profit organization that provides a full spectrum of physical, emotional and spiritual care to terminally ill patients and their families in both in-home and inpatient settings. Founded in 1990, dedicated caregivers at Rainbow Hospice Care have been serving residents of south-central Wisconsin for 30 years. Regardless of age, race, gender, faith, ethnicity, insurance coverage or economic status, they treat all of their patients and their loved ones with the same respect, kindness and concern—focusing on quality of life, maintaining comfort and dignity, and providing expert support tailored to each individual’s unique needs and wishes. To learn more call (920) 674-6255, or visit www.rainbowhospicecare.org
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Phi Delta Theta.
Phi Delta Theta is hosting our first annual Community Chili Cook-Off and dinner this Saturday on November 13th from 4-7 p.m. at the Congregational UCC, 133 S Franklin St. It’s $5 all you can eat chili.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the UW System.
The University of Wisconsin System has announced the 14 recipients of the 2021 Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award, an annual honor given to faculty, staff, students, or community members to recognize their achievements in advancing equity and inclusion for people of color within the UW System as well as communities across the state.
This year is the 26th anniversary of the award through which more than 400 women of color have been recognized for their transformational work.
“The UW System is proud to recognize the tremendous achievements of this year’s award recipients,” said UW System Senior Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer Warren R. Anderson. “They are enhancing opportunities for our students and benefiting our communities through their leadership, scholarship, and outreach.”
Recipients were formally recognized on November 4, 2021, in Madison at an awards ceremony and reception hosted by Anderson. The ceremony and reception was held in conjunction with UW System’s presentation of the Dr. P.B. Poorman Awards for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People.
The 2021 Outstanding Women of Color in Education honorees are:
Winnifred Bryant, Professor of Biology, Department Chair, UW-Eau Claire
Renita Robinson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Prevea Health, selected by UW-Green Bay
Monica Yang, Outreach Program Manager I, Multicultural Student Services, UW-La Crosse
Sami Schalk, Associate Professor, Department of Gender & Women’s Studies, UW-Madison
Doris Johnson Browne, Counselor/Therapist, UW-Milwaukee
Elisabeth Arguello, PreCollege Programs Coordinator, UW Oshkosh
Giovanna Gutierrez, Outreach Program Manager and Assistant to the Dean, UW-Parkside
Angela Yang, Interim Assistant Director, TRIO Student Support Services, UW-Platteville
Natasha Rayne, Assistant Professor, Plant and Earth Science, UW-River Falls
Kaia Fitzgerald, Student, UW-Stevens Point
Wei Zheng, Professor and Program Director, Plastics Engineering Program, UW-Stout
Salisa Hochstetler, Assistant Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, UW-Superior
Ana Caballero Mengibar, Associate Director, Undergraduate Research Program, UW-Whitewater
Ana Caballero Mengibar
UW institutions submit nominations for the award, which highlight each recipient’s contributions to improving the status and climate for women and people of color and to advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Whippet Football Team held its End of Season Banquet on Tuesday, November 9th. Pictured are the Team Award and Rock Valley All-Conference Award winners:
Team Awards: (pictured L-R) Jake Kuhlow – Whippet Pride, Aaron Porras – Whippet Pride, Connor Stevenson – Co-Lineman of the Year, Brock Grosinske – Offensive MVP, Carter Friend – Defensive MVP, Mason DePorter – Co-Lineman of the Year, Jesus Barajas – Whippet Pride
Rock Valley All-Conference Awards: (pictured L-R) Mason DePorter – HM Offensive Line, Marcus DePorter – 2nd Team Wide Receiver, Carter Friend – 1st Team Linebacker, Brock Grosinske – HM Quarterback, Wyatt Nickels – HM Tight End
Article and Photos Submitted by Jason Bleck Whitewater High School Head Football Coach jbleck@wwusd.org
