(Whitewater Public Library submission) Children and teens are invited to attend a free outdoor watercolor workshop sponsored by the Irvin L. Young Library and the Association of Wisconsin Artists – Bridging Generations. The event will take place outside on the library lawn on Saturday, June 19 at 1 p.m. Participants must register at whitewaterlibrary.org
Participants are invited to learn about the color wheel, the difference between warm and cool colors, and create a beautiful work of art to bring home. Participants will receive a frame for their artwork, and an AWA ribbon.
(Whitewater Public Library submission) The Power of Positive Parenting Virtual Seminar Series is hosted by the Irvin L. Young Library and will be presented by the Watertown Family Center and Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation virtually on June 15, 22 and 29 at 6 p.m. Parents/caregivers from any community may register for this Virtual Zoom program at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScq-yvALlV8y9JJ_fnp73H8lgHTJi9u_oaUysh9GMlXD3ffSw/viewform
These seminars will help parents get to know the core principles of positive parenting and will teach practical ways to deal with everyday challenges. Parents can register for one, two, or all three seminars and enjoy them from the comfort of their own home. Following their registration, people will receive information on how to access the virtual seminar(s) through Zoom:
Tuesday, June 15, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – The Power of Positive Parenting: Parents will be introduced to the five key principles of positive parenting.
Tuesday, June 22, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Raising Confident, Competent Children: Parents will be introduced to six core building blocks for children to become confident and successful at school and beyond. This includes strategies for having a healthy self-esteem, being a good problem solver, and becoming independent.
Tuesday, June 29, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Raising Resilient Children: Parents will be introduced to six core building blocks for children to manage their feelings and become resilient in dealing with life stress. This includes expressing feelings appropriately, developing coping skills, and dealing with stressful life events.
(Whitewater Police Department press release) June 10, 2021 – On Friday, June 4, 2021, at 9:21 p.m., the City of Whitewater Police Department received a 9-1-1 call. Officers were dispatched to the apartments of 304 N. Tratt Street to the report of a subject who had “just shot himself.”
Upon arrival, officers located a 23-year-old male with a single gunshot wound. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse. The male was identified as Zachary Wasendorf, of Whitewater. No others were injured during this incident.
One firearm was recovered at the scene, which was legally owned and possessed. The WPD investigation reveals the incident appears to be accidental and self-inflicted.
Local Emergency Medical Services, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police Department and the Walworth County Medical Examiner assisted in the incident. The investigation is still ongoing with the medical examiner’s office.
(Roberta’s Art Gallery submission) Take a glimpse into the creative artwork from the City of Madison. Liubov Szwako, also known as “Triangulador,” will exhibit his artworks at Roberta’s Art Gallery through June 25, 2021 in his exhibit, “Liubov Szwako // Triangulador.” The artist utilizes spray acrylic enamel and oil paint to create intricate, abstract, and colorful paintings that often consist of many different textures and layers.
Szwako is of Russian heritage, was born and raised in Mexico City, and moved to Madison during his early 20s. He is a self-taught artist and he has been painting for nearly four years. Szwako likes to explore different mediums for his art, and will often use unique items as his canvas, like: sides of buildings, glass, old maps and even mattresses. In an effort to give back and beautify the city, he has done mural works, making him well known in the Madison community.
Art by Liubov Szwako, also known as “Triangulador”
Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center (UC) at UW-Whitewater. The gallery hosts multiple exhibits and workshops each semester by collaborating with the artists–both locally and regionally. Many of our events will be held virtually and/or in person this summer.
Roberta’s Art Gallery prides itself on all of their exhibits being free and open to the public. This means anyone: whether you’re a student, a Whitewater community member, or someone wanting to support the artist, stop on by! For questions or further information, contact Roberta’s Art Gallery at (262) 472-3193 or ucart@uww.edu or visit our website.
(Photo is taken directly from the artist’s website.)
252 S Ardmor Dr, Whitewater Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Oil Can Collection of Harley Davidson watches, kitchen bar stools, throw pillows, yarns, Christmas vintage glass bulbs, Christmas Collection of Barbie Ornaments, lights, roller blades, never worn ice skates, artist supplies, suitcases of all sizes, books, clothes and many other miscellaneous items.
12209 E. Bradley Rd, Whitewater Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Holiday items, electronics, kitchen items, candles, picture frames, educational toys, tools, 6 rolling dining room chairs, Lazy Boy rocker, Collectible beer signs and more.
As the Banner previously reported, on Friday, June 4 the Whitewater Fire Department was called to a single vehicle crash on Millis Road at approximately 9:10 p.m.
Per a statement from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, Sergio Alvarez, 35, of 10619 N County Line Rd #71 was arrested on several tentative charges including a fourth drunken driving offense, operating after revocation causing great bodily harm, and failure to install an ignition interlock device. Per the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website, the District Attorney’s office had apparently only filed a charge of failure to keep vehicle under control as of the time of Alvarez’s release on bond on Monday. It was indicated that Alvarez had failed to negotiate a curve, hitting a tree with his truck.
There were three passengers in the vehicle, Camillo Martinez Gonzalez, 40, Noe De Jesus Arias Polo, 27, and Adan Graciano Gonzalez, 33. After being treated for initial injuries at the scene, Alvarez and the three passengers were transported to area hospitals.
(Whitewater Public Library submission) The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library offers a new craft for adults every other week! Just stop by the Library, grab their take-and-make craft kit, and follow along with the craft video! Videos can be found on their Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Crafts for adults are available the weeks of: June 14 and 28 July 12 and 26
Article Submitted by Maddy Blain Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach mblain@wwusd.org Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
The Whitewater Whippets traveled to #1 Oregon on Thursday night, June 8, for the first round of sectionals. The Whippets faced a strong, fast team from Oregon and lost the game, despite many great saves from senior goalkeeper Cora Linos.
EASY ID & FILE OF LIFE Tuesday June 15 5:30—7:00 p.m. 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.
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
Source: Deb Weberpal, Senior Coordinator, Seniors in the Park
(L-R) Rainbow Chaplain Laura Wessels with James Behnke, Susan Behnke Hammill, Mary Behnke, Chris Behnke with his new bride Allie Radcliffe (Behnke), Allie’s parents – Kathryn and Rick Radcliffe; Front – Don Behnke
Mary Behnke with her son Chris Behnke on his wedding day (Photos submitted)
JEFFERSON- Rainbow Hospice Care Bereavement Counselor/Chaplain Laura Wessels had never officiated a marriage ceremony before. But her first one will likely be a day she and the couple will always remember.
Chris Behnke and his fiancée, Allie Radcliffe, had their hearts set on a fall wedding in Austin, Texas. But Chris also wanted his dad Don to be there to see him get married. Don is a Rainbow Hospice Care patient and a resident at Alden Estates of Jefferson. Traveling long distances for him was no longer an option.
So Chris and Allie wanted to find a way to bring the wedding to him. But with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, there was no guarantee that would be possible.
Alden had started lifting visitor restrictions but wouldn’t be able to accommodate a huge ceremony. The guest list would have to be limited.
The staff at Alden agreed to let Chris and Allie get married in their chapel. With a location secured, the couple needed a minister or a Justice of the Peace to perform the ceremony.
Wessels has been providing Don’s wife Mary with pre-bereavement support services since the start of the pandemic, and when Mary told her about her son’s wedding, Laura offered to marry the couple. But Mary left the decision up to her son.
“I told her what was going on and Laura said ‘Mary, I’m going to offer one time. I’m not going to bother you with it, but I could marry them,’ ” said Mary Behnke.
Both Chris and Allie loved the idea and the wedding took place on Saturday, April 24 at Alden Estates at 2 p.m. Besides having both his mother and father by his side, the wedding also served as a joyful family reunion as Chris’s brother James and his sister Susan were able to fly in from the East Coast for the special day. Due to the pandemic, the family hadn’t seen each other in over a year.
“Because our other children are older, Chris was like our little surprise package,” Mary Behnke said. “It was really special that he wanted his dad included in the wedding and his brother and sister also wanted to be here. It was a great gift.”
Allie’s parents, Rick and Kathryn, also arrived from Texas to round out the wedding party.
As they were surrounded by an intimate circle of family, Chris and Allie exchanged vows and rings at the altar of the chapel. Wessels was happy she could be there to conduct the ceremony.
“There was no music or special readings, but it was intimate and beautiful and sort of casual,” said Wessels. “I thought it was a beautiful thing that Chris and Allie wanted to make sure that Don was part of their special day. I was honored to be a small part of their celebration.”
“It was very important for me, as his son, to have my dad involved while we still could,” said Chris Behnke. “I was inspired by my parents renewing their vows for their 50th wedding anniversary at Alden a few years back and figured this was something we could pull off as well. Family is very important to both of us. We felt this special moment was best celebrated with just our immediate family.”
The family then gathered for pictures in Alden’s courtyard and, with the help of his wife, Don joined in toasting the new bride and groom as everyone enjoyed a glass of champagne. The celebration wasn’t complete until they had dessert together.
“The whole thing just came together and was extremely special and very moving for us. I was just pleased to have Laura,” Mary Behnke said. “That made it even more special because she’s been helping me along. Everybody loves her. Everybody couldn’t believe how sweet she is and even the bride’s mother kind of mouthed to me during the ceremony how wonderful Laura was.”
It might not have been the traditional wedding that the newlyweds originally envisioned when they said “I do,” but the day turned out to be better they could have imagined as they begin their life together.
“We will remember and cherish the fact that we could share this moment with all of our parents and start this next adventure with their love and support,” Chris Behnke said. “I will personally remember seeing my father laugh and smile and be engaged with all of us. In particular, my dad (Don) reaching out to shake the hand of Allie’s father. I think that left a strong mark on both of our hearts.”
“This group of people had not met before this day, but you never would have known it,” Wessels said. “They enjoyed getting to know each other, lots of conversations going on around me, and just so much shared joy in their wedding and everyone being able to be there for it. I felt like I floated the next couple of days, it was such a high!”
Even though Chris and Allie have already officially tied the knot they will hold another celebration in Texas in October with a larger group of family, friends, and coworkers. That will be more of a ring ceremony. Besides that to look forward to, Chris and Allie will always have the memories of that special Saturday in April when they first became husband and wife with their families by their side.
“My heart is still so full from the day and I couldn’t have imagined starting our marriage together in any other way,” said Allie Behnke.
“We’re both very thankful for Alden, as well as Laura and Rainbow Hospice Care for helping us make this ceremony happen and allowing me one more important life event with my father at my side,” Chris Behnke said.
(Contributed by Kenyon Kemnitz, Rainbow Hospice Care)
