Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Seniors in the Park projectionist Mark Dorn.
“On the Rocks”
Tuesday, November 9, 1 p.m. (Comedy/Drama/Romance)1 hour, 36 minutes; Rated R (mild profanity)(2020).
A seventies-something retired art dealer (Bill Murray) is a happy-go-lucky flirtatious ladies man with a roving eye. His married daughter (Rashida Jones) suspects her husband (Marlon Wayans) is having an affair. She tells her Dad and both start spying on the activities of his son-in-law, with embarrassing and amusing results. An AARP Movies for Grownups nomination for Bill Murray.
Seniors in the Park is located in the Starin Park Community Building.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Walworth County.
Walworth County Administrator Mark Luberda will hold an informational meeting for interested residents and potential County Board Supervisor candidates who would like to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of County Board Supervisors. The meeting will take place:
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 6 p.m.
County Board Room 114, Walworth County Government Center
100 W. Walworth Street, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
The workshop will provide an overview of Walworth County government and the responsibilities and time commitment generally required of County Board Supervisors. The 90-minute class will provide an overview of what an individual could expect to experience while serving on the Board. This will include outlining the wide range of services provided by County government, summarizing the County’s budget, highlighting some of the legal rules under which Supervisors must operate, addressing the relationship between the County Board and other elected and appointed officials, and reviewing the committee structure.
For more information or to register, please contact County Administration at (262) 741-4357 or email countyadministration@co.walworth.wi.us.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater City Market.
The Whitewater City Market is moving indoors. We can’t wait to see you at the indoor market Saturday, November 5 at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library at 431 W. Center Street. We’ll be there weekly 10 a.m. to noon through April (except for 12/25 and 1/1).
NEW AT THE MARKET: Mama Maria’s will be offering hot food and beverages to take away or enjoy on site
OFF THIS WEEK: Bower’s Lake Coffee, Kettle Moraine Honey, Komboocho Brewing
Helena’s Plant Closet & Whitewater Egg Delivery ● eggs, air plants & houseplants Kits Knits ● knitted & crochet hats, scarves, baby items Kristie’s Creative Kitchen ● jams, jellies, pickled items Mama Maria’s ● tamales, empanadas, cookies, hot cocoa, coffee, punch My Farm ● spinach, eggs, fresh lamb, fresh beef, greens mix* Short N Sweet JMC ● masks & charms Stephani’s Spot ● garden preserves, baked goods, salsa, mustards, sauces Sunny Brook Farm ● local produce, eggs Whitewater Grocery Co ● your (future) friendly neighborhood grocer, supporting fresh and local products Wood Street Bakery ● muesli muffins (wheat- and dairy-free); orange chocolate chip scones, white chocolate cherry scones; spicy cheddar bread, honey oat bread, sourdough bread, cranberry walnut bread & multigrain bread; assorted granolas: cranberry almond, silly nut nut, cinnamon apple walnut, dark chocolate cherry, Hawaiian delight
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.
More than 225 people attended Whitewater’s first Pride Rally on October 23. Students from the Whitewater High School Gay-Straight Alliance and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s PB Poorman Pride Center and IMPACT, along with the Unity Project, Studio 84, First United Methodist Church, The Book Teller, and Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL) all joined the community to celebrate, with heartfelt presentations from students, festive music by volunteer members of the Warhawk Marching Band, original songs by Felix Ramsey, “Rainbow Connection” by Christine Hayes, and drag performances by students Victorya Atwood, Kayos Mirage, and Phelonee. Dalee Water donated water, Ginny Coburn donated rainbow-iced cookies, Pat and Mark Bromley donated granola bars, Whitewater Unites Lives donated rainbow pins, Family Equality Council donated flags and more. The Whitewater Arts Alliance shared their electricity, tents and tables. Studio 84 provided materials and a location to create signs on Friday. Zach Popke from Whitewater Community TV set up and ran all of our sound for the event…and the list goes on!
Camden Harlan (she/her/hers) is an advisor for the Whitewater High School Gay-Straight Alliance. She said, “The October 23rd event was nothing short of spectacular. Our Gay-Straight Alliance student-members had the absolute best time, making memories that they will always be able to look back on, especially during those times when they need it most. I have never seen them smile so much! Their favorite part was the drag show! Several high school students had the courage to get up on stage and tell their story to people who cheered them on. And then the most amazing thing happened: suddenly other students from the middle school, high school, and college gathered up the courage to tell their stories, too. To top it all off, our club sold T-shirts and collected donations that will fund one full WHS Pride Scholarship this spring!”
Photo credits: Christine Hayes and Marjorie Stoneman
World Kindness Day is Saturday, November 13, 2021. Show kindness by making a paperchain full of kind inspirations!
Lakeview, Lincoln, and Washington Elementary Schools would like EVERYONE in Whitewater (and beyond) to create paper chains to display at their workplace or residence to promote World Kindness Day.
Once you’ve created your links, snap a photo of it, and email it to sbrautigam@wwusd.org. We would love to see it!
If you would like students to create some links for your home or business, email that same address and we will get some delivered.
Whitewater is a great community filled with kindness, so help us show it! Thank you for helping us LINK kindness through our community and beyond.
Article and Photo Submitted by DeAnna Brunner Lakeview Elementary School Teacher dBrunner@wwusd.org
By Al Stanek Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Next year’s Whitewater city budget now moves closer to adoption after a scheduled November 16th Public Hearing. It includes a proposed reduction in the residential property tax rate which could result in a reduction in the city’s share of next year’s tax bill for city residents. The action comes after the City Finance Committee recommended a number of reductions in the initial budget proposal.
The ultimate impact in annual property tax bills mailed out by the City of Whitewater is unknown as generally the City’s share of annual residential tax bills is around 30% of the total with County, School District and Technical College charges making up the remainder. How the anticipated tax rate reduction will affect residential property tax bills also depends on the assessed value of a home which in most cases has increased.
The November 16 Public Hearing will also include a projected city budget for 2023. The 2023 proposed budget can be amended before 2022 tax bills go out a year from now. The new two-year budget development process is coordinated with the State of Wisconsin two-year budget cycle and is being evaluated to see if it reduces staff time.
City Finance & Administrative Services Director Steve Hatton presented the Common Council with an analysis that indicated that last year’s city residential property rate was the second lowest among nine area communities that included Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Milton, Elkhorn, Johnson Creek, Watertown, the City of Delavan, and the Village of East Troy.
Hatton also challenged claims that “Whitewater has the 2nd highest combined water and sewer rate in the state of Wisconsin.” He presented an analysis that compared the average monthly combined water/sewer bill for similar water usage in like-sized utilities in Rock, Jefferson, Walworth, and Waukesha Counties. The average combined cost for customers using two thousand gallons per month for twenty-four similar sized area water utilities was $54.07. Whitewater’s cost of $59.22 was the seventh highest. Whitewater’s water bill adds separate additional charges for public fire protection and storm water impact which not all communities’ water bills include.
Next year’s proposed Whitewater City budget includes several high-cost capital projects whose impacts have been softened using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated earlier this year, an anticipated surplus from this year’s city budget and a loan from the City’s Community Development Authority (CDA). Projects include a $3 million new water tower and a $2.8 million sewer lift station which is expected to reduce the capital cost of needed future sewer system construction.
The relatively good budget news was tempered by a report on the estimated cost of a needed move toward a fully staffed Emergency Medical Service (EMS) to replace what has traditionally been a largely “on-call” service. The Whitewater Fire Department (WFD) estimates an annual additional need of “up to $657,860” to fully service Whitewater and surrounding jurisdictions currently under contract with the WFD. It is estimated that city calls represent about 80% of the current demand.
Smaller communities around the country are experiencing a significant shortage of trained certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Low wages considering the medical knowledge required for the position, along with odd hours, high stress and COVID exposure are thought to be making it difficult to keep volunteers or hire part-time EMTs.
Although the video for the Common Council meeting is not yet posted on the city website, it can be viewed on the city’s Vimeo site at https://vimeo.com/cityofwhitewater. A comprehensive overview of the proposed budget presented by Hatton and City Manager Cameron Clapper may be found beginning at 1:30.
In other business the Common Council was informed that the green covered lake beds of the City’s two downtown lakes should begin to start looking much different next week as mowing of the lake beds is scheduled to begin Friday, November 5.
WHITEWATER – Thomas Allen Quast, 55, died unexpectedly on November 1, 2021. Tom will be missed by many loving friends and family members.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon this Saturday, November 6, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. Visitation with family and friends will occur immediately following mass at Jessica’s Family Restaurant in Whitewater; everyone is invited to this luncheon.
Tom grew up in Whitewater and graduated high school in 1985. Tom began working at 12 with his first paper route, ran his own limousine service for several years, and was self-employed most of his life operating various businesses. Tom always enjoyed camping with family, dreaming of his next business, and spending time with family and friends.
Tom is survived by his mom, Barbara Quast, of Whitewater; brother, Bob (Becky) of Blue Grass, Iowa; nephew Chris (Haley) of Janesville; nephew Brian of Whitewater; nephew Jase (Kellie) of Bettendorf, Iowa; niece Lacey of Davenport, Iowa; niece Savanna of Blue Grass, Iowa; eight great-nephews/nieces; plus many cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his dad, Allen, and sister, Lynnette.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the WHS Players.
Everybody cut loose as the WHS Players burst onto the stage with the explosive movie musical Footloose! Based on the 1984 film, this Oscar and Tony-nominated Top Forty score will keep audiences rockin’ from start to finish!
When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the strict local laws, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher. Reverend Moore is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth, including his rebellious daughter who sets her sights on Ren. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.
Under the stage direction of Jim McCulloch, musical direction of Liz Elliott, choreography by Margaret Wheeler and conducted by Sam Averill, the talented cast includes: Marco Wence, Madison Strickler, Anderson Waelchli, Olive Coburn, Ayden Clark, Anders Clarksen, Cosette Wildermuth- Breitzman, Ben McCulloch, Audrey Mayer, Haley Street, Alex Sullivan, Brooke Mason, Cole Schlicher, Payton Bunger, Matt Zingsheim, Josh Kirley, Lauren Rollette, Caleb Clapper, Lucas Scherer, Xavier Zei, Skylar Staebler, Chloe Prince, Jazmin Cederberg, A’lani Rogers, Jataiah Geoghan, Kayla Mikos, Marina Lino, Alex Breisath, Haley Keltesch, Athena Soto, Taylor Speerbrecher, Alex Clarksen and Myles Morse. Pit band members include: Reeds – Justin Kamp, Tenor saxophone – Audrey Mayer, Trombone – Colin Dugan, Keyboard – Liz Elliott, Guitar 1 – Aidan McNall, Guitar 2 – Brady Vickerman, Bass -Carter Waelchli, Drumset – Larry Palmer, Percussion – Sophie Walton, Stage Crew includes: Kat Dunham, Emma Weigel, Samantha Van Daele, Lucille Troxel, Evelyn Troxel , Emerson Dunham, Miles Nickelsburg, Emily Schmidt, Ava Nygren, London Altreuter, Stephanie Wence, Aimee Servin, Ariadna Gonzalez Cervantes, Costume Crew: Alejandra Diaz, Abigail Olson, Alexsa Cansino-Pena, Ghati Binagi and Claire Tourdot . Sound engineers: Tony Hansen and Kara Long.
Performances of Footloose will be held at the Whitewater high school auditorium on November 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and November 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. All seats are reserved and can be purchased by calling the box office at 262-472-8178.
Article and Photos Submitted by Jim McCulloch WHS Players Director jMcCulloch@wwusd.org
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Educational Series Starts Nov. 4
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will present Powerful Tools for Caregivers, an educational series designed to provide caregivers with the tools they need to take care of themselves, starting Nov. 4.
This program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings better, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources.
Classes consist of six sessions held once a week. Two experienced class leaders conduct the series. Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help you take the tools you choose and put them into action for your life.
Participants receive a book, The Caregiver Helpbook, developed specifically for the class. A fee of $10 will be charged to defray the cost of the book.
Classes will be held at the Department of Health and Human Services, 1910 County Rd. NN, Elkhorn, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Thursday from November 4 through December 16, 2021 (excluding November 25). For more information or to register, contact Anne Prince at (262) 741-3157. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.
If you are a caregiver or know someone that is a caregiver, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to remember that as a caregiver providing care to an adult with a chronic condition, you need care too See this video for testimonials on the program. Register for Walworth County’s Powerful Tools for Caregivers Workshop today.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the office of the governor.
Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Mark Afable, and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake, on November 1 urged Wisconsin residents to sign up for high-quality, affordable health coverage during open enrollment.
On Mon., Nov. 1, 2021, open enrollment launched and will continue through Jan. 15, 2022. During this limited time, all Wisconsinites are eligible to get enrolled in one of the health plans available on the federal marketplace. Those who already have insurance through the marketplace can also renew, change, or update their plans during this period. Enroll by December 15, 2021 for coverage that starts January 1, 2022.
“This pandemic has only underscored that we should be working to make sure everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare,” said Gov. Evers. “I urge folks to shop around on the marketplace and take advantage of the new, lower insurance rates that are available right now. Thanks to President Biden, this period lasts a few weeks longer than last year, but don’t wait—get enrolled today.”
In 2020, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) and Gov. Evers launched WisCovered.com as an accessible resource for Wisconsinites. By visiting WisCovered.com or calling 2-1-1, those looking for coverage can get connected with free, expert help with services available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. These experts at WisCovered.com can help Wisconsinites understand their coverage options and determine if they qualify for subsidized health insurance premiums through the marketplace or free coverage through BadgerCare Plus.
“Join the thousands of Wisconsinites who qualified for free or low-cost health insurance coverage last year,” said Commissioner Afable. “If you need health insurance, there are great plans available that cover doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, and more. If you need help finding a plan that fits your budget, free assistance is available. Just call 2-1-1 or visit WisCovered.com for more information today.”
“Signing up for high-quality, affordable health insurance is about more than having access to comprehensive medical care. By getting insured, you are investing in your health, and the health of those around you,” said DHS Secretary-designee Timberlake. “Here at the state’s health department, we want each and every Wisconsinite to have the ability to have the insurance coverage they need to prevent, treat, or recover from illness or injury. That is why I am urging all residents to take advantage of these resources during the open enrollment period so that every Wisconsinite can get signed up for health insurance.”
Many Wisconsinites will benefit from lower rates and more insurance options in 2022. Rates on the individual market, which include plans available on Healthcare.gov, will be 0.3 percent lower in 2022 on average than rates in 2021. Many Wisconsinites can also find more insurer options than ever before.
