City Lifts Burn Ban; Some Fires Require a Permit


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

June 25, 2021- Effective immediately, the City of Whitewater is lifting the burn ban issued on
June 16. 2021. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shows a low chance of fire danger in
Whitewater. Citizens need a permit if they plan to burn and can obtain a permit through the city’s
Neighborhood Services Department.

Banner note: A permit is not required for most “recreational fires.” Chapter 8.32 of the Municipal Code provides the ordinances regarding open burning. The rules for recreational fires include the following:

  • All outdoor fires shall be no closer than fifteen feet from any structure or side lot line and ten feet from any rear lot line. There shall be no outdoor fires in front yards or street yards.
  • Wood recreational fires are allowed only in compliance with the following schedule: (1) from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; (2) from 4:00 p.m. on Friday until Saturday at 1:00 a.m.; (3) from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday until 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
  • Recreational fires shall burn dry wood only and may not burn wet wood, brush or other substances or materials.
  • Recreational fires shall be completely extinguished when unattended.
  • Recreational fires with a base greater than five feet in diameter shall require a permit issued by the city manager or his designee.

The image on the homepage, “Campfire” by JelleS is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Seniors in the Park Presents Minari – Tuesday, 6/29

“Minari”
Tuesday, June 29, 1 p.m.
Drama/Family; Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 55 minutes (2020)
A Korean American family attempts to start a farm in 1980’s Arkansas, in search of its own American Dream. Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress (Yuh-Jung Youn).

Seniors in the Park is located in the Starin Park Community Building. There is no longer a capacity limit, so reservations are not required. Facial coverings are no longer required for those who are fully vaccinated.

New Freshman Applications to UW-W Up by Over 45%, Outpacing UW System’s 29%

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

Jeff Angileri, who was recently promoted at UW-W to Executive Director of University Marketing & Communication, told the Banner that as of June 1 the university’s new freshman applications for fall 2021 stood at 8835, more than a 45% increase from the same time in 2020, when there were 6058 applications. As of the same date in 2019 there had been 5925 applications.

According to a press release from the UW System, by June 1 the 13 universities had received 133,484 applications from new freshmen, about 29% higher than at the same point in 2020 and 33% higher than 2019. It was reported that applications by Wisconsin residents, first-generation students, and underrepresented minorities were also up. “The increases are the result of several actions the UW System took over the last 15 months to simplify the application process, including waiving application fees, creating a new EApp (electronic application), allowing students to use a single application for multiple universities, and suspending the requirement that students take the ACT,” the release stated.

“I’m thrilled with these positive application numbers. Our strategies are working, and we are setting the stage for success,” said UW System President Tommy Thompson. “While the pandemic challenged us all, students are primed to get back to campus his fall, and we want them to know that we are ready as ever to help them achieve their education goals.”

Although the increase in applications is encouraging, not all applicants are accepted, and some of those who are accepted do not enroll. For example, according to collegetransitions.com, in 2020 at UW-Madison, 73% of in-state applicants were admitted, while non-residents gained admission about 54% of the time. However, only 32% of accepted students actually enrolled.

Fall ’20 enrollment at UW-W was 11842, a decline of approximately 4% from the previous year, versus a System decline of 1.7%. It was felt that the pandemic was the primary reason for the declines, which on the national level for public institutions was 4%. According to Forbes, there was “an unprecedented decline in high school graduates enrolling in college last fall….The percentage of 2020 high school graduates who immediately enrolled in college dropped by almost 7% last fall…”

J-Hawks to Host Summer Sizzler Run/Walk

Let’s get your RUN ON Saturday. July 10.

at Starin Park, in Whitewater!  Runs begin at 8 a.m. 

10k Run, 5K Run/Walk

This is an event for the entire family
.

We have also created new award divisions for our high school, middle school, and elementary age racers.

Awards Divisions:

Award Divisions (Top 3, Men, Women – Virtual Racers will have separate awards):
5k and 10k Divisions: U12;  13-19; Post High School-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89

OVERALL WINNERS: We will be awarding gift cards to our IN PERSON overall winners!
10K: Overall Men, Overall Women
5K: Overall Men, Overall Women, 

Awards Ceremony will take place ½ hour after the final runner/walker crosses the finish line.  Awards will not be mailed.

BIG NEWS:  All participants will be entered to win 2 FREE registrations to the Discover Whitewater ½ marathon and 5K.  Drawing will take place at the awards ceremony.

This course is on a beautiful paved bike/walking path going through the park, along the Nature Preserve, into the Prairie Village senior living residential area, and along the Bark River.  Thus, we will be doing a staggered start.  Start times will be emailed Thursday night.

REGISTER HERE:  https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Whitewater/JHawk5KRunWalk

Nancy Dearborn, author of “Hugga Loula,” visits library lawn to read aloud on June 30 at 10:30 a.m.

(Whitewater Public Library) Nancy Dearborn, author of “Hugga Loula” will read to the children of Whitewater on the library lawn on Wednesday, June 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Author Nancy Dearborn and her book, Hugga Loula

Workman Publishing posted: “If you’re grumpy or sad, frustrated or mad, just give a shout, and hug it out.” With the healing power of a hug and an act of kindness, little Hugga Loula diffuses all sorts of situations. Featuring colorful illustrations and charming refrain, Hugga Loula gives us an adorable hero offering care, comfort, and love to a world that desperately needs all three. 

Cty N Has Reopened to WIS 106; Closure of Hwy from WIS 106 to Jefferson Begins Soon

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

Last week, after a complete resurfacing, County Highway N (in Whitewater the street is known as Tratt Street) reopened to WIS 106. The Jefferson County Highway Department told the Banner that the second phase of the resurfacing of County N, from WIS 106 to the city of Jefferson, will result in closure of that section until late August or early September. Local traffic will be maintained.

This Week’s Rummage Sales (UPDATED)

12240 E. Bradley Road, Whitewater – Look for the signs!
Friday 6/25/21  9am – 6pm
Saturday 6/26/21  8am -11am

Adult Clothing, Children’s clothing (girls: newborn-size 16, boys: 6 month-24 month, size 7/8- 16) Most children’s clothing is $1.00!  Household items, kitchen, decorations and bedding, garden and woodworking tools and much more.

215 S. Pine Circle
Moving Sale
Friday, June 25th 3-7
Saturday, June 26 9-3

Dining room set, grandmother clock, NordicTrack treadmill, Schwinn stationary bike, 37″ flat screen tv and lots of household items priced to sell.  No early sales.

Richmond United Methodist Church
Corner of Church Road & County Highway A
Rummage and bake sale
Friday, June 25 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 26 – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Final two hours feature a $2 a bag special.)

A Banner Service – Garage Sale Ads

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 has agreed to begin a “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published each Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. 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. Although we may eventually make a small charge for this service, initially it will be complimentary.

Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 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.

Happy Belated Fathers’ Day and #FlashbackFriday from the Historical Society!

Happy early Fathers’ Day and #FlashbackFriday from the Whitewater Historical Society!
Shown here is a postcard image looking across Whitewater Lake towards the Heart Prairie Lutheran Church and Chapel Hill area. Whitewater Lake has long been a popular family gathering spot for holidays such as Fathers’ Day. The Heart Prairie Church was founded by Norwegian immigrants in December 1844, though the current church building itself was most likely not actually completed and used until 1857. In the late 1800s, the church boasted over 100 members, but eventually merged with Whitewater’s First English Lutheran Church in 1948 due to rapidly declining membership.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
(5123PC, 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!​ 

Happy belated Fathers’ Day and #FlashbackFriday from the Whitewater Historical Society!

Shown here is a postcard image looking across Whitewater Lake towards the Heart Prairie Lutheran Church and Chapel Hill area. Whitewater Lake has long been a popular family gathering spot for holidays such as Fathers’ Day. The Heart Prairie Church was founded by Norwegian immigrants in December 1844, though the current church building itself was most likely not actually completed and used until 1857. In the late 1800s, the church boasted over 100 members, but eventually merged with Whitewater’s First English Lutheran Church in 1948 due to rapidly declining membership.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
(5123PC, 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!​ 

Obituary: Mary Teresa (Stefancin) Meikle, 87

Mary Teresa (Stefancin) Meikle, age 87 of Whitewater passed away on June 16, 2021 in Madison.

Mary was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1934, daughter of Joseph J. and Mary M. (Rusnak) Stefancin. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at West Chester State University Pennsylvania and a master’s degree at Marquette University Wisconsin. Her graduate work was done at University of Oslo, Norway and University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

She taught elementary and middle school physical education and health in Butler, Pennsylvania from 1956 to 1958. Mary began the elementary physical education program in Oak Creek, Wisconsin where she taught from 1958 to 1965. From 1965 to 1989, as an assistant professor, she was a member of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

On February 7,1967, she and Douglas married. They traveled extensively throughout the five continents. Mary continued to travel after Doug’s death. Other interests included reading, card games, crafts, casino play, and keeping in touch with friends and loved ones.

Mary is survived by her son Douglas Meikle of Green Bay, son in-law Tom Ploessl of Waunakee; grandsons, Eric (Erica) Meikle of Boulder, Colorado, Peter Meike of Minneapolis; great-granddaughters, Elise and Adeline Meikle of Boulder, Colorado; great-grandson Mark Meikle of Boulder, Colorado; sister, Emily (Richard) Snavely of Pennsylvania, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Anne; parents, two brothers, and one grandson.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI on June 26, 2021 at 1 p.m. A visitation will take place from 12 p.m until the time of service. A burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the charity of one’s choice.

WHS Band Alumni Encouraged to Play for July 4 Parade

Dear WHS Band Alumni,

For the 23rd year, we will be putting together an alumni band for the July 4 parade. If you’re going to be in this part of the country for the holiday, please consider joining us! I know that some of you have been playing professionally while others haven’t touched it since graduation – ALL are welcome as long as you’re fully vaxxed!   Instrument loans are available as are fingering charts! No marching is involved; we’ll be sitting on a flatbed truck!

The parade starts at NOON this year since the 4th lands on a Sunday . We’ll plan to meet at Lincoln Elementary School (Prince St. between Highland and Walworth) around that time although we will be near the end of the parade. Do not attempt to drive up Prince Street that morning; best bet for close parking is in the Middle School (old HS) lot off Elizabeth Street.  Drummers talk to me about the best way to get your equipment onto the truck.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW – drddeal@gmail.com – IF YOU’RE COMING so I know how many chairs, stands & copies of music we need.  Also, please pass this on to any other WHS Band Alumni you know from any decade.

Hope to see you there!

Dr Don W Deal [WHS Band Director 1979-2012 and again in 2020]
drddeal@gmail.com