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Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Walworth County UW-Madison, Division of Extension

Walworth County UW-Madison, Division of Extension is pleased to once again offer the Aging Mastery Program®, a ten-session, five week, health and wellness package offered to residents age 55 and over. The program was developed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

The goal of the Aging Mastery Program® is to empower older adults to make and maintain small but impactful changes. The classes will explore 10 key topics: navigating longer lives, physical activity, sleep, healthy eating and hydration, financial fitness, medication management, advanced planning, healthy relationships, falls prevention, and community engagement. For each of these classes, we will provide basic educational materials developed from highly trusted sources, a checklist of potential next steps, and a system for tracking behaviors. Participants will earn points for positive actions and rewards.

This is a wonderful opportunity for older adults to participate in, and reap the benefits of this cutting-edge wellness program. The program is valued at $60 and currently being offered, at no cost, to class participants free until October of 2021.

Register today to reserve your space! Mondays & Wednesdays from September 27th – October 27th from 11:00 am to Noon

Important! Those wishing to participate must register prior to the class to receive the class materials as well as the virtual zoom link and/or phone number. The registration link: https://go.wisc.edu/wiamp

For more information about The Aging Mastery program, and other Extension programs, please contact Walworth County Extension Office at 262-741-4961 or email amanda.kostman@wisc.edu.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status.

Welcome back to #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society!

Historically, a process known as threshing often occ​urred on many area farms in August. Before modern combines, crews would visit a farm, bringing with them steam-powered threshing machines. Depending on the size of the crop, it could take several days to complete the threshing process, which involved separating the grains from the stalks (usually feed oats).

This image from our glass plate negative collection shows the steam engine and the stacks of stalks left over on an unidentified local farm around the turn of the twentieth century.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!

(2790GP, Whitewater Historical Society)

The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!​ 

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services

We have launched our 2021 Community Health Improvement Plan Cycle themed Connecting Communities. One of the steps in the process is collecting community feedback. Let your voice be heard and complete a Community Health Survey here: https://bit.ly/2VELNzc Survey responses will be accepted through September 30, 2021.

Hemos lanzado nuestro Plan de Mejorar la Salud Comunitaria 2021 con el tema Conectando Comunidades. Uno de los pasos del proceso es recolectar respuestas de la comunidad. Deje que su voz se escuche y complete una Encuesta de Salud Comunitaria aquí: https://bit.ly/2VELNzc

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The City of Whitewater has entered into a tentative land sale that is likely to result in a new retail operation on the east side. Negotiations are underway between the Common Council and developer Midwest WI, LLC (“Midwest”) for the sale that would set in motion the planning process for a proposed Dollar General store.

Following a closed session on June 15 the Common Council voted unanimously to authorize the sale of a 1.92 acre parcel at the roundabout where East Milwaukee Street turns into Elkhorn Road to Midwest WI, LLC (“Midwest”) for $251,000. The potential use of the site was not indicated; however, it was indicated that “a Developer’s Agreement will be negotiated and will be forthcoming.”

On August 3 the area was included in a Tax Incremental Tax District (TID) which could allow for development incentives and public infrastructure improvements. A nearby parcel is currently under development for one of two Kwik Trip stores targeted for opening this winter.

The planned use of the Midwest parcel was disclosed as the Common Council returned from closed session on August 17, when it was indicated that the developer intends to construct a building that would be occupied by Dollar General (“DG.”) The agenda indicated that the closed session was for the purpose of discussion of the terms of a Development Agreement with Midwest, and Jim Allen, speaking on behalf of the Council, stated that negotiations were continuing with focus on an “upgraded design” for the DG building. Allen indicated that the agreed upon sale price was the appraised value. No further information was provided, but per national media reports, including this article in the Orlando Sentinel, for a number of years some municipalities have been expecting “dollar stores” to provide upgraded designs rather than what have often been seen as “unattractive buildings.”

The Dollar General homepage describes their operation as “offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations.” The site reports that, “Dollar General operated 17,426 stores in 46 states as of April 30, 2021.” According to a March, 2021 article in Construction Dive, the Tennessee-based company “is in the midst of an expansion effort that calls for the addition of 1,050 stores this year, and sees room to double the size of its existing fleet of stores in the future.” Stores have recently opened in nearby Tibbets and Eagle. Palmyra Village Clerk-Treasurer Laurie Mueller told ‘the Banner’ that a developer other than Midwest has proposed to construct a DG in their community, but this week the Board of Zoning Appeals voted to deny a request to reduce the required parking by six spaces. Mueller indicated that she did not know whether DG would still be pursuing the project.

No timeline for construction has been specified.

Special People Needed for Special Education Help

The Whitewater Unified School District (WWUSD) is looking to hire several special education paraprofessionals for the coming year to work at Washington Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, and Whitewater Middle School. The part-time positions will be 5.5 hours per day Monday through Friday on days when school is in session.

Qualified candidates should have the ability to work effectively with small groups of children and be able to work collaboratively with teachers and other professional staff. They will be asked to prepare supplementary materials at the teacher’s direction and must be able to communicate with parents with respect and confidentiality.

Preference will be given to candidates that have a minimum of two years of education at an institution of higher education, an equivalent background, or training and experience. Experience with children in a special education environment and Spanish speaking skills are a plus. Applications will begin to be reviewed immediately upon submission.

Interested applicants should reply with a resume, cover letter and a response to some standard questions supplied at the positions listed under “Join Our Team” on the WWUSD website (www.wwusd.org). Positions will begin work on August 23 and pay will be $15.08 depending on qualifications.

Information on how to apply is available on the WWUSD website or by contacting lheim@wwusd.org.

Further information is available at https:// wecan.education.wisc.edu/#/Vacancy/114204

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

Whitewater Unified School District has teamed up with the UWW Early Childhood Department and Premier Bank to create ‘Partners in Play.’ This program is free enrichment sessions for kids ranging from birth to five. These are open to any child 0-5 in any town. The curriculum for these sessions will be created and taught by WUSD and the Early Childhood Department at UWW. The sessions will run for eight weeks. Parents/guardians will stay with their child during the session. Sessions will be fun and interactive for all involved. All sessions will be in English and Spanish. We are extremely excited about this new opportunity!!

EASY ID & FILE OF LIFE

Tuesday August 24 4:00—7:00 pm
City Market
Downtown Whitewater

People with cognitive impairment or memory loss that are at risk, or could be at risk, of getting lost or wandering are encouraged to complete the EZ-ID process. It’s free and simple. Demographic information, digital fingerprints, and photos are saved to a jump drive which can be given to the police in the event of an emergency. The jump drive is placed in your File of Life which is placed on your refrigerator. 

If you live alone, EZ-ID is also recommended for emergencies.

The File of Life will be available both at the Easy ID table and the Whitewater Dementia Friendly table with a purple dementia angel sticker or without. File of Life is also available at Starin Park during open hours.

Questions? Call Deb at 262-473-0535 or email dweberpal@whitewater-wi.gov

Easy ID is sponsored by Walworth County TRIAD which is a non-profit organization which is part of a national community policing initiative wherein law enforcement professionals, first responders, seniors and community groups partner to meet the crime safety needs of seniors. TRIAD of Walworth County is on Facebook and their website is www.sewistriad.org