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By Jeff Angileri
Executive Director, University Marketing and Communications
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater

As the 2020-21 academic year comes to a close at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, there are multiple success stories that wouldn’t be surprising in a typical May.

More than 1,500 students graduated on Saturday. The campus’s American Marketing Association chapter reigns supreme. A Warhawk is headed to the NFL. A physics professor has received a U.S. patent. And UW-Whitewater Enactus will represent the U.S. at the World Cup.

But this was not a typical year. 

From classroom learning to athletics to student organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the university to operate in different ways in order to be successful. And it required the participation and commitment of faculty, staff and students to take every step possible to stay well and protect one other.

“I’m immensely proud of the way our university community came together to carry out our academic mission and to serve the greater community,” said Chancellor Dwight C. Watson. “The challenges were many, and the ever-changing nature of the pandemic added additional complications, but we persevered as a Warhawk family.”

To date, UW-Whitewater has conducted nearly 80,000 COVID-19 tests — about 55,000 for faculty, staff and students on campus, and about 25,000 at testing sites for community members. Multiple partners help to fund and support the testing programs, including UW-Whitewater, UW System, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

“Robust COVID-19 testing helped keep case numbers down,” said Matt Kiederlen, chief of police and chair of the Emergency Operations Committee, which led the execution of UW-Whitewater’s COVID-19 response. “When you combine that with mask wearing, social distancing and adjusted room capacities, it allowed us to safely offer more in-person experiences this year. At this point, our antigen positives are less than one percent.”

UW-Whitewater’s COVID-19 Office/Hotline has responded to 13,000 phone calls and emails, providing critical information about health, safety and university operations. Meanwhile, the contact tracing team has assisted more than 3,000 faculty, staff and students.

And as vaccines have rolled out across the country, University Health and Counseling Services made sure faculty, staff and students were informed so they could take advantage of vaccine opportunities. 

“When supply arrived, we quickly and efficiently distributed vaccines on campus. By May 20, we’re projected to have given about 1,800 doses, including the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. About 196 of those were given to community members,” said Julie Martindale, director of health services.

Now, UW-Whitewater looks toward summer, when popular athletic, music and academic  camps will take place with established safety protocols.

And it’s looking like a much more normal fall semester.

“We’re looking forward to in-person classes as they were pre-pandemic, residence halls as they were pre-pandemic with extended move-in processes, along with dining halls, athletics, arts and other expected activities,” Watson said. “We do not yet know what, if any, modifications will remain in place as we return in the fall. Just as our protocols under COVID-19 have been based on county, state and federal health department guidelines, our path to a safe fall 2021 will continue to be based on this guidance.”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Names Fort HealthCare
a Winner of the Milwaukee Top Workplaces 2021 Award

(Fort HealthCare press release) Fort HealthCare has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2021 honor by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few. This is the eleventh time that Fort HealthCare has proudly received this award.

Nancy Alstad, Fort HealthCare Senior Director of Human Resources commented, “This recognition continues to signify that our employees feel valued and are proud to be an employee of Fort HealthCare; In 2020 our employees endured a year like no other, and their commitment to our mission and to each other sustained us, always focusing on quality patient care. Receiving this award for an eleventh time is an incredible honor!”

You can read more about the award at https://topworkplaces.com/award/jsonline/2021/500-plus/

THIRD UPDATE: “They’re phenomenal:’ Pilot of crashed plane in Whitewater credits rescuers” – article from channel 27 – WKOW.COM
SECOND UPDATE: A more comprehensive report on the rescue is available here.

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

Per the Whitewater Fire Department Facebook page, the department was notified at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, May 15 of a single engine plane crash. The crash was located in the Kettle Moraine Forest in the Town of Whitewater, with rescue efforts causing sections of Highway P south of Whitewater to temporarily close. Multiple other departments, including Janesville and Lauderdale LaGrange, responded. As of 2:19 a.m. on Sunday, all three persons had been removed from the aircraft and were reporting no injuries.

An unnamed reliable source told the Banner that the plane itself was equipped with a parachute which opened, and the plane descended into a 75′ oak tree with the pilot, reportedly in his 50’s, and two passengers in their 20’s, trapped inside. The plane was wedged in a crotch of the tree, fairly high off the ground, and it is unknown how it may be removed.

An article in Air & Space dated May 15, 2018, titled, “Those parachutes for small airplanes really do save lives,” claimed that a study found that 380 lives had been saved by the parachutes. This Youtube video, “Are planes with parachutes really safer,” provides a description of the system, which has been available for over twenty years, apparently only on the Cirrus line of aircraft. Per the video, in the early years the fatality rate for equipped planes was actually higher than the average for general aviation, but more recently use of the system appears to have contributed to preventing deaths or serious injuries.

Press release from Whitewater Fire Department posted to Facebook page approximately 3 p.m. on May 16:

(ELKHORN, WI): More than 100 million adults in the U.S. are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While that statistic is startling, there is good news. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes can improve their health by joining a Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop sponsored by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County and Aurora Health Care. The program has been researched and proven to improve the health of adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes.  

In just six weekly sessions, Healthy Living with Diabetes gives participants strategies for managing diabetes including techniques to deal with symptoms and information about healthy eating, appropriate use of medication, exercise and working effectively with health care providers. Participants learn to make realistic, achievable action plans, share their experiences and help each other solve problems.

Healthy Living with Diabetes will be held on Tuesdays (9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) from May 18, 2021 -June 22, 2021 via Zoom. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10. 

For questions or to register for the program, contact Anna Blamer, RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

The image on the homepage, “Type 2 Diabetes” by National Institutes of Health (NIH) is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

By Tom Ganser

The Whitewater High School Drama Department will be staging the spring musical, “Summer Shorts,” on May 21, at 7 p.m., and May 22-23, at 2 p.m., at the new Cravath Lakefront Amphitheater.

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This will be the first live performance for the Whitewater Unified School District theater program since the WHS Players production of “Tales of Poe” Feb. 27-29 and Mar. 1, 2020. Fortunately, the persistent squawk of “Nevermore!” by the raven in the first terrifying tale performed then has proved to be incorrect when it comes to live plays in Whitewater—back again despite the pandemic.

Live music, singing, and dancing is what “Summer Shorts” is all about, offering a patchwork of whimsical and touching stories, skits, and songs about friendship, family, and summer fun from beloved movies and Broadway shows.

Laugh ‘til you cry, or cry ‘til you laugh. Either way, “Summer Shorts” has something for every member of the family to enjoy.  What better way to celebrate the return of live entertainment than outdoors on Whitewater’s newest stage.

The show is directed by Jim McCulloch, with musical direction by Elizabeth Elliott and technical support by Kat Dunham and Tony Hansen.

The talented ensemble includes: Maggie Jay, Ella Willman, Lauren Rollette, Marco Wence, Madison Strickler, Josh Kirley, Skylar Staebler, Chloe Prince, Ben McCulloch, Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman, Carter Waelchli, Anderson Waelchli, Haley Street, Ilana Lothes, Ayden Clark, Alex Sullivan, and Payton Bunger.

Stage crew members are Alejandra Diaz-Gallegos, Emerson Dunham, Claire Tourdot, Sammie VanDaele, Lucas Scherer, Lucy Troxel, Emma Weigel, Cole Schlicher, Kayla Mikos, Abby Olsen, Gwen Yeager, and Keith Cameron.

Band members include keyboard Liz Elliott (keyboard), Tim Hummel (drums), and Caleigh Judd (bass).

Admission to “Summer Shorts” is free, but reservations are required. Patrons must reserve a private “pod” to attend this event. Pods are 8′ x 8′ square outlines painted on the grass. Each pod can seat up to 8 guests, and pods are spaced apart to help maintain social distancing. Blankets, lawn chairs, non-alcoholic beverages, and picnics are encouraged. There are two points of entry to the performance space where guests can check in upon arrival. Ushers will then take them to their pods. Pods open one hour prior to the performance.  

Admission is free; however, donations will be gladly accepted. All proceeds will go to the Anne and Lane Kuske Drama Scholarship fund. This annual scholarship is awarded to a WHS graduate who is pursuing a degree in theatre. Shows will be moved to the WHS Auditorium in case of bad weather.

To make reservations, call the WHS box office at 262-472-8178, or email: jmcculloch@wwusd.org for more information.  

According to McCulloch, the primary reason for producing “Summer Shorts” is to keep the drama program relevant and to give students, especially seniors, an opportunity to perform live on stage.

“It has been a difficult year for everyone,” McCulloch said. “This year’s graduates were at risk of losing out on the final performances of their high school careers.  I can’t tell you how inspiring it has been to hear voices echoing through the halls of the school once again.”

“Bringing people together again to share the joy of music, laughter, and a sense of community was another goal we wanted to achieve though this production,” McCulloch added.

“By performing at the new Cravath Lakefront Amphitheater I feel that we are providing our audiences with a safe and memorable experience as well as a reassurance that there are better days ahead.”

Elizabeth Elliott described this show as “a great experience for all of us, myself included, because it has allowed us to work together again, make music together again, and create something again.”

“As an artist,” Elliott continued, “you notice when those things are missing, and it has been so amazing working with these students.  The joy and energy they bring has been incredibly fun, and has raised spirits despite the trying times of this pandemic.  Because this show is not our typical musical, it has allowed many students to have solos, small group ensembles, and a variety of monologues.  It has provided an outlet for students to work and mentor others, whether it’s helping with learning singing parts, dances, or making new friends and connections.”

Actors Payton Bunger (Grade 8), Haley Street (Grade 11), and Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman (Grade 9), point out that “Summer Shorts” is a collection of short skits and songs rather than a full play.

“It’s very different for me,” Bunger shared, “because it doesn’t revolve around a single musical but multiple songs from different musicals.”

Likewise, Street noted, “I think the biggest challenge is that it’s not just one musical. It’s songs and skits from a whole bunch of them. So where we usually all got one character to play we now each have several.”

After having participated in virtual schooling “for a long time,” Wildermuth-Breitzman commented, “it is great to connect with people again.” She also picked neopolitan as an ice cream flavor to represent “Summer Shorts” because “we do a little bit of everything” and orange as a color because it is “fun and bright.”

The color that comes to mind to Street for the entire production is “a bright grass green. It’s so lively and wonderful that every time I picture it, I can almost see rolling hills and people running around enjoying the best days of summer. I hope everyone else sees it like that too, because that’s what we’re going for. Haley Street.”

“’Summer Shorts’ is such a unique opportunity for everyone to shine. We are all so excited to share some of the first live theater in a while with the community!” stated Senior Ella Willman, who has performed in nine plays or musicals in Whitewater.

Looking ahead, the WUSD Summer School Playhouse will be performing “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr.” July 8-9 at 7 p.m. and July 10 at 2 p.m.

United Way Ride United Transportation Program Now Offering Free Rides to Vaccination Appointments

Fort Atkinson, WI – May 12, 2021 – The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is proud to announce their Ride United transportation program has temporarily expanded to cover free rides to vaccination appointments in the communities of Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Whitewater & Watertown.

“Our United Way is honored to be in a position to expand our Ride United program to provide assistance to those in our communities who have a transportation barrier which prohibits them from accessing vaccination appointments” states Megan Hartwick, United Way executive director. “These are very difficult communities to live in if you don’t have reliable access to quality transportation, so we are so pleased to be doing our small part to help bring that access to individuals in need, and also help increase the vaccination rates across our county.”

Ride United is serviced by Brown Cab Company (serving Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Whitewater & Lake Mills) and Watertown Passenger Transit (serving Watertown). Individuals simply need to call the company for their community and schedule their ride. Ride availability is based on the schedule of each company and rides must be scheduled in advance. Rides are limited to within city limits and cannot accommodate travel between different cities.

“We truly wish we were able to offer the free ride service to every individual in every community and that we could accommodate travel across cities,” Hartwick adds. “However, we have to work within the logistical capabilities of the service providers and within our financial resources available. Although we know this expanded service won’t reach every person in need, we are still excited to offer it to many who will benefit from it.”

The service will be provided for riders to the following vaccination appointment locations: Fort Atkinson (Fort Healthcare Hospital, Fort Healthcare Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Fort Atkinson Hometown Pharmacy and Walgreens), Jefferson (The Drug Store and Walmart), Lake Mills (WRMC Lake Mills Clinic, Lake Mills Hometown Pharmacy and Walgreens), Whitewater (UW-Whitewater Health Services, McCullough’s LTC Pharmacy, Walmart and Walgreens), and Watertown (Watertown Department of Public Health, Watertown Hometown Pharmacy, WRMC Doctor’s Court Clinic, Walmart and Walgreens).

“We are so grateful to each and every person, organization and company that supported our 2020 campaign efforts, which allowed us to expand our Ride United service to assist with this immediate need in our communities,” Hartwick states. “Without the generosity of our donors, none of this would be possible. Each and every dollar we receive in support of our Ride United program has such a positive impact on those who utilize the service to access food pantries, free medical clinics, and now for those who will be able to access vaccination appointments.”

United Way encourages any residents who could benefit from this service, to call Brown Cab (920.563.6303) to schedule their ride. If anyone is interested in supporting this service, donations can be made online using the following link and noting “Ride United” in the comments section: https://uwjnwc.com/get-involved/give/. Donations can also be mailed to 734 Madison Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538.

United Way will support this program expansion for as long as resources allow and for as long as there remains a community need.

“Our United Way will evaluate the vaccination rides on a monthly basis and will continue to offer the service as resources allow and as the community needs persist,” Hartwick adds. “We appreciate any and all continued support for this important United Way program.”

Any questions regarding the Ride United program can be directed to the United Way office at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com.