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Editor’s Note: The following was written by Ka’lea Calhoun, a University of Whitewater-Wisconsin student, and shared with Whitewater Unites Lives for the Whitewater Banner.

For my final culture project, I volunteered at the international student’s day at Lincoln elementary school. This is by far the most beautiful experience I have experienced through the university so far. It was so high in culture that I was starstruck. To begin the day, I arrived fairly early and assisted with setting up the face painting area. I met many wonderful people in the town who worked in positions in the city and within the schools. As the day began, I saw many people of  Latino background running tables for their culture. One table that stood out to me most for the culture was the table that was selling authentic Mexican food. It was so amazing to see how different their authentic foods were from our Americanized ones. The food items they had available were nachos, tostadas, and elote [“Mexican street corn.”] There was also live Hispanic music being performed which was definitely an experience. The children from the elementary school played drums, sang songs, and even played in a mariachi band.

At the face painting station, I encountered many young children of Hispanic background and some who were not. Those that were of Hispanic background were such a teaching lesson for me. Some of the children I had spoken to spoke both English and Spanish fluently but some of the children spoke strictly Spanish. It was beautiful. For the end of the program, I assisted with the flag making table. At this table children and adults were welcome to come and color a flag of their choice to represent any country they chose. From this table I learned to identify flags of different countries.

Overall, this event was so beneficial. It was full of resources for all students including those from diverse backgrounds. There were free books in the room, scholarships, art projects directed for youth, face painting, music, food, and overall good vibes. The city of Whitewater should be proud for having such a diverse program for students so young. If this is not an annual event, it indeed should be. I am honored to have been a part of the International students’ day. Gracias profesora.

—-By Ka’lea Calhoun

Editor’s note: The following news release was received from the City of Whitewater.

At the Common Council Meeting on May 2, 2023, the City of Whitewater Common Council approved multiple proposals that will bring jobs, add tax base, and generate revenue for the City of Whitewater.

The Common Council approved an Option Agreement to enter into a lease agreement with Clear Path Energy, LLC for redevelopment of the former landfill at the north end of Jefferson Street. The redevelopment and construction of a solar array will produce energy to be fed into the existing grid or channeled privately to large users including the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Unified School District, and the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. The City of Whitewater will generate a lease payment and a payment in lieu of taxes from the solar array. As an additional social benefit, the City allows for the sustainable reuse of a blighted property.

Kristen Fish-Peterson of Redevelopment Resources, who has been assisting the City and the Community Development Authority (CDA), shares, “When there is an opportunity to reenergize an unproductive property, taking it from a parcel that is simply existing and not generating any public benefit (other than the fact that it formerly served the public), it is an opportunity worth pursuing.”

The Common Council also approved a lease agreement with Cellco Partnership for tower and ground space to erect, operate, and maintain communication facilities at the Southwest Water Tower located at 797 Indian Mound Parkway, generating a revenue stream for the City of Whitewater.

An Offer to Purchase and Development Agreement submitted by Becker & Bolton, LLC was approved by the Common Council for development of a vacant parcel of land located at 501 North Prospect Drive in the Whitewater Business Park. The proposed project consists of phased construction of multiple buildings to provide leasable spaces for local business tenants for purposes of commercial/light industrial use.

John Weidl, Whitewater city manager, shares, “In addition to pursuing options to turn a non-revenue generating landfill into something that supports clean energy and reduced energy costs, our elected and appointed officials are working with staff to ensure a viable pathway for the creation of jobs within our community. The approved industrial project will add tens of thousands of available square footage for lease in addition to providing an opportunity for job creation in our community.”

Fun, Food and Culture from Around the World!

Whitewater is home to a culturally rich and diverse population. To highlight this cultural diversity, the Whitewater Unified School District will be hosting the first annual Multicultural Heritage Showcase on Saturday, May 6 from 4-6:30 p.m. at the high school auditorium. Join us as students, staff and community members share their cultural heritage, traditions and customs from around the world with our neighbors and friends.

The evening begins at 4 p.m. with food, art and socializing followed by live entertainment starting at 4:30.  This event is multilingual, multicultural, and FREE admission to the public! We are accepting donations to the Dream Big Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to a multilingual scholar to help them to pursue their dream of higher education. 

The list of talented entertainers that will be performing includes: Mila Holcombe; Stuart Nagy; Zach Oster; Faith Schuldt; Nathan Powell; Margaret Wheeler, Alan Perez Samuel Huber, Charles Miller, Charles Sanderson-Haque. Alejandro Aguilar, Max Hach, Victor Valenzuela, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Ivan Garcia, Danieska Mendoza Zelaya, Meybeling Garcia Guzman, Emily Sevilla Blandon, Aslhy Perez Gonzalez, Keyre Castañeda, Wilson (Onan) Orellana, Edward Cruz Martinez, Sander Fajardo, Abdel Salgado, Sarahí Carrillo, Victoria Vernal, Jennifer Montenegro, Leticia Palacio, Freidel Garcia Palma, Ilver Herrera, Joseth Palacio Moreno, Eddy Contreras, Anayah (Coco) Hayes, Arianna Mejia, Sofia Cerillo, Monserrat Rojas-Reyes, Itsayana Lopez, Mason Villasana, Alexa Palacio Gomez, Britany Garcia, Elder Montenegro, Jokssan Rivera Acevedo, Jhonny Escobar Sevilla, Marvin Duarte Garcia, Eduard Jiron Betanco, Elmer Garcia Gonzalez, Odeling Gonzalez Zamora, America Castro Chacon, Keylin Torres Caceres, Meybeling Aguilar Zamora, Marien Colindres Montenegro, Alex Clarksen, Brooke Mason, Skylar Staebler, Karen Tordera, Liliana Rienzi de Gimenez, Deydania Sanchez, Liliams Maradiaga, Aaron de Jesus Alvarez, Abigail Jones, Fadil Mujota, Ajan Ajrulai, Everlin Ponce Siles, Mariana Cervantes, Belinda Gaytan, Hillary Garcia, Paolo Rodriguez Flores, Yerald Perez Centeno, Keylin Alvarado Zeledon, Melvin Mendoza, Vanesa Torres Caceres, Wilber Bustillo, Arlen Navarro, Nestor Gonzales, Iker Medina Centeno, Ingrid Lira Cerna, Maria Alejandra Rodriguez Ruiz, Jhon Salgado, Alex Fajardo, ,Deanna Dragan

We hope you can join us for an evening of fun, food, and entertainment from around the world!

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¡Diversión, comida y cultura de todo el mundo!

Whitewater es el hogar de una población culturalmente rica y diversa. Para resaltar esta diversidad cultural, elDistrito Escolar Unificado de Whitewater organizará la primera Exhibición Anual de Patrimonio Multicultural el sábado 6 de mayo de 4-6:30 p.m. en el auditorio de la escuela secundaria. Únase a nosotros mientras los estudiantes, el personal y los miembros de la comunidad comparten su patrimonio cultural, tradiciones y costumbres de todo el mundo con nuestros vecinos y amigos.

La noche comienza a las 4 pm con comida, artey socialización seguida de un entretenimiento en vivo. ¡Este evento es multilingüe, multicultural y de entrada GRATUITA al público! Estamos aceptando donaciones a la Dream Big Scholarship, una beca de $ 1,000 otorgada anualmente a un académico multilingüe para ayudarlos a perseguir su sueño de educación superior. 

La lista detalentosas que actuarán incluye: Mila Holcombe; Stuart Nagy; Zach Oster; Faith Schuldt; Nathan Powell; Margaret Wheeler, Alan Pérez Samuel Huber, Charles Miller, Charles Sanderson-Haque. Alejandro Aguilar, Max Hach, Victor Valenzuela, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Ivan Garcia, Danieska Mendoza Zelaya, Meybeling Garcia Guzman, Emily Sevilla Blandon, Aslhy Perez Gonzalez, Keyre Castañeda, Wilson (Onan) Orellana, Edward Cruz Martinez, Sander Fajardo, Abdel Salgado, Sarahí Carrillo, Victoria Vernal, Jennifer Montenegro , Leticia Palacio, Freidel Garcia Palma, Ilver Herrera, Joseth Palacio Moreno, Eddy Contreras, Anayah (Coco) Hayes, Arianna Mejia, Sofia Cerillo, Monserrat Rojas-Reyes, Itsayana Lopez, Mason Villasana, Alexa Palacio Gomez , Britany Garcia, Elder Montenegro, Jokssan Rivera Acevedo, Jhonny Escobar Sevilla, Marvin Duarte Garcia, Eduard Jiron Betanco, Elmer Garcia Gonzalez, Odeling Gonzalez Zamora, America Castro Chacon, Keylin Torres Caceres, Meybeling Aguilar Zamora , Marien Colindres Montenegro, Alex Clarksen, Brooke Mason, Skylar Staebler, Karen Tordera, Liliana Rienzi de Gimenez, Deydania Sanchez, Liliams Maradiaga, Aaron de Jesus Alvarez, Abigail Jones, Fadil Mujota, Ajan Ajrulai, Everlin Ponce Siles, Mariana Cervantes, Belinda Gaytan, Hillary Garcia, Paolo Rodriguez Flores, Yerald Perez Centeno, Keylin Alvarado Zeledon, Melvin Mendoza, Vanesa Torres Caceres, Wilber Bustillo, Arlen Navarro, Nestor Gonzales, Iker Medina Centeno, Ingrid Lira Cerna, Maria Alejandra Rodriguez Ruiz, Jhon Salgado, Alex Fajardo, ,Deanna Dragan

¡Esperamos que pueda unirse a nosotros para una noche de diversión, comida y entretenimiento de todo el mundo!

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

As this view shows, on May 7, 1881, remnants of the March mega snowstorm in that year were still around. This is a stereoscope image showing piles of snow still blocking roads in rural areas.

The stereoscope images of the unusually snowy late winter and spring of 1881 are some of the most important in the historical society’s collection and not because they show lots of snow. Many of the images were taken in the downtown and provide important information about this area when photos from this era are not widely available. They help us understand how Whitewater’s downtown looked during this period of its history.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(1667ST, Whitewater Historical Society)

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage, Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

Huge Moving Sale!!
164 S Ash Ln Whitewater
Friday May 5th 9-6
Saturday May 6th 9-1
Boys & girls clothing/shoes 18 months and up!
Name Brand teen girls, teen boys and woman clothing.  Most $1 each!!!
Kitchen table with 2 benches & 2 chairs, bunk bed w/ mattresses, pull out sofa, home decor, kitchen items, household items, baby swing, night stand, electric stove, dishwasher, microwave, chest freezer, too much to mention! No early sales!

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As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed three years ago to begin a “consolidated” garage sale posting that is published each Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. We will continue that service this year. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property.

Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 8 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address.