Tom Ganser took these photos of work on the Winther Hall tower on April 23. According to this site, the tower is apparently owned by U.S. Cellular. Our thanks to Tom for sharing these interesting photos.
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Services Announced for Mary Ellen Pope, who passed away on March 13, 2020
Mary Ellen Pope, a long-time resident of Whitewater, Wisconsin, lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the age of 91, at Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care in Janesville, Wisconsin. Born to August and Helen (Wellnitz) Frei on March 8, 1929, in Chewelah, Washington, she was the fifth of eight children. When she was a toddler, the family packed up everything they could fit in their 1927 Chevy sedan and traveled back to Wisconsin during the Great Depression. She attended Finch School in La Prairie, a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade, and even though she was bothered by her lack of a high school diploma, it never stopped her from going for something she set her heart on achieving. While working on the family farm with her parents and siblings, she learned a strong work ethic, which showed when she was named the Chicken Plucking Champion at the Rock County Fair as a teenager. Mary Ellen was a fun-loving girl who loved to dance and it was at a barn dance she met Charles Donald Pope and fell for him and his motorcycle. In 1950 they married in Janesville at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and in 1965 they moved their family to Whitewater. Each time Mary Ellen had one of their nine children, she was back in the barn, with the baby in a stroller, helping milk cows and finish chores. After Donald’s death in 1967, Mary Ellen ignored popular opinion about a woman in business and continued to run the farming operation with her sons. In 1971, Mary Ellen married Robert James McCulloch at St. Patrick Catholic Church and in 1972 they had a daughter, Yvonne. Even though the marriage ended in divorce, they remained great friends until his passing in 1985. Mary Ellen was a very active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Whitewater and through the 55 years she attended she served as a Parish Council Member, Parish Trustee, Acolyte, and on the Christian Women’s Altar Society. One thing was always clear that St Patrick’s was a second home to Mary Ellen.
Mary Ellen will be missed by her children: Charles (Linda), Michael (Karen), Kevin (Nancy), Virgil (Sandra),Craig (Cathleen), Anne (Brian) Morgan, Serena (Lance) Elliott, Donald (Sally) and Yvonne (Scott) Fanshaw; daughters in law: Betty, Kathy, and Lisa; as well as her grandchildren: Carrie (Jason) Mathison, Christopher (Jill) Pope, Nathan (Carrie) Pope, Abigail Zinzow, Charles J.(Liz) Pope, Michael A. Pope, Olivia (Chris) Hale, August Pope, Ryan Pope, Anson (Sara) Pope, Wade (Shalanna) Pope, Shane (Rebecca) Pope, Angie Pope, Rebecca (Paul) Morris, Sarah Pope, Virgil S.(Marissa) Pope, Elyssa Pope, Emma Pope, Audrey Pope, Jonathan Pope, Helena Pope, Ashlee (Jacob) Prochnow, Torrin (Angela) Thatcher, Madeleine (Craig) Spangler, Carli Pope, Peyton Pope, Savannah Pope, Gabriel Pope, Jenna Pope, Kenley Pope, Grace Fanshaw, and Sophia Fanshaw; 24 great grandchildren; her sister, Linae Frei; sisters in law: Agnes Frei, Shirley Thompson, and Darlene Pozin; plus many beloved nieces and nephews and close friends. She will be greeted in heaven by her sons, Mark and Paul; son in law, Thomas K. Thatcher; daughter in law, Sonja Isaacsen; grandchildren-in-law, Jason Zinzow and Teresa Pope; her parents; and siblings: Cecelia Sowles, Joseph Frei, Leo Frei, Marguerite Frei, Cletus Frei, and Patricia Clark.
Through all the hard times and tragedies in her life, Mary Ellen’s faith in God and Jesus sustained her and held her up. Her strength is an inspiration to everyone who knew her and she will be greatly missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, WHITEWATER, with Rev. Mark Niehaus officiating. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic all guests are asked to please wear a mask and practice good social distancing practices. Interment was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family with arrangements. Donations in Mary Ellen’s name can be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center and Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care, Janesville. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com
The family would like to thank Dr. Natalie Callender, Michelle Lackner, and the team for Multiple Myeloma at the UW Carbone Cancer Center for giving us two years longer with Mom. A grateful thank you to Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care in Janesville for their caring and kindness through the loss of mom and helping her make a dignified passing to Heaven.
Five Whippet Sports in Action, Soccer Advances in WIAA Tourney
It was an extremely busy night for Whippet athletics on Tuesday evening, May 4. Check out reports on all of the action!
Boys’ Soccer
Comments Courtesy of Bob Mischka
The Boys’ Soccer Team won their playoff game against Edgerton in a penalty kick-off after it was still tied 1-1 after two 10-minute overtime periods. Next up for them is a game against #1 Fort Atkinson at Fort on Thursday, May 6.
Girls’ Soccer
Comments Courtesy of Coach Blain
The Whitewater Girls’ Soccer team took on the McFarland Spartans Tuesday night in their first conference game of the season. The Whippets played a tough game against a fast McFarland team, and fell 11-0. Senior goalkeeper Cora Linos worked hard in goal and ended the night with 13 saves. The coaches and players look forward to continuing to compete each game.
Softball
Comments Courtesy of Coach Sdano
The Lady Whippets took the lead in the first inning against Brodhead as Shyan Lesperance hit a single, stole second, and went to third on the catcher’s throwing error. Lexi Juoni laid down a nice bunt that scored Lesperance.
Brodhead came back and scored 5 runs in the second inning to take the lead. Brodhead continued to add to their lead as they had 11 hits and took advantage of 6 Whippet errors to tally 13 runs.
The final score was 13 to 1 Brodhead. Cheyenne Bohmann did a nice job of pitching as she went 6 innings, giving up 11 hits, and striking out four Cardinal batters. Only 5 of the 13 runs off Cheyenne were earned.
Shyan Lesperance had both of Whitewater’s hits as she went 2 for 3 with 2 stolen bases.
Next up for Whitewater is a game at Evansville on Thursday, May 6th. Game time is 5:00.
Baseball
Comments Courtesy of Coach Hookstead
The Whippet Baseball Team lost to Evansville by a score of 8-0 on Tuesday night. The team played hard and made some great plays defensively, but unfortunately, they could not get the bats going. Ian Marinaro was the starting pitcher and pitched a solid three innings. The team will be in action again on Thursday, May 6, at home against Evansville at 4:45.
Track and Field
Comments Courtesy of Laura Masbruch
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka
The Whippets hosted Jefferson and East Troy on Tuesday evening for a triangular. Due to the overlap of sports seasons, the schools were not fielding full teams, but there were some outstanding individual Whippet performances, especially from the jumpers.
On the girls’ side, Kacie Carollo and Crystal Chan finished one and two in the long jump, Kindyl Kilar and Crystal Chan finished one and two in the high jump, and Amanda Tovar and Jenna Caldwell went one and two in the pole vault. Kindyl Kilar and Kacie Carollo also finished one and two in the 200 M Dash.
On the boys’ side, Jon Aron took the high jump, and Aaron Porras finished first in the 200 M Dash.
Aaron Porras 
Crystal Chan
No Garage Sale Announcements this Week, But One Advance Notice
Please note that this is NEXT weekend.
HUGE SALE May 14,15 &16 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 400 S. Rice St. #31 (Trippe Lake Condos
by Super 8) Generator, tools, ladder & much more. Ph. 414-975-5646 John
Anzivino
A New 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, last year the Banner staff 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.
Gardening Soil Health Webinar event offered on Tues., 5/18 at 6 p.m.
(UW-Madison Extension submission) University of Wisconsin – Madison, Division of Extension Walworth County invites you to attend this upcoming online learning opportunity about garden soil health on Tuesday, May 18 at 6 p.m. Join Dr. Doug Soldat from the Department of Soil Science at UW-Madison to learn how you can create and maintain healthy soil in your landscape and gardens. You will learn how to conduct a soil test and interpret the results. We will also discuss various amendments to improve your soils for greater gardening success!
This event is free, but registration is required. Please use the following link to register: https://go.wisc.edu/461n76
If you have questions about this event, please contact Julie Hill, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, julie.hill@wisc.edu
To find additional upcoming local and statewide events from Extension, see our calendar: https://extension.wisc.edu/events/ or visit our Extension Walworth County website: https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/
Whitewater FFA Annual Plant Sale thru 5/8 to Benefit Inclusive Merry-Go-Round at Starin Park
The Whitewater FFA will be having their Annual Plant Sale May 3rd through May 7th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 8th from 9 a.m. to noon. All the proceeds we receive will be going towards the We-Go-Round, an all inclusive merry-go-round. Please enter through Door #32 at Whitewater Highschool. We hope to see you there!
UW-W Students Join Other Community Members for “Make a Difference Day”
(Downtown Whitewater press release) On a sunny Friday afternoon, April 30, a group of 76 UW Whitewater students joined volunteers and board members of Downtown Whitewater, Inc for a day of service most commonly called Make a Difference Day. Volunteers took part in a variety of projects ranging from cleaning up green spaces, sweeping debris from parking lots and storm gutters, pulling weeds, and more.
Board president and volunteer Lisa Dawsey Smith said, “Make a Difference Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Working with this great group of UW Whitewater students to care for our community allows me the opportunity to get to know them better. It’s also a great opportunity to start conversations about the importance of place and how that affects the vitality of a community. ”
An additional group of students also volunteered their time Sunday May 2.
Cravath Lakefront trash collection 
Train Depot group 
One of the Cravath Lakefront groups 
Starin Park volunteers 
Downtown trash collection
Report: Packers releasing Jake Kumerow was ‘death knell’ in relationship with Aaron Rodgers
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staf
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Packers fans have heard plenty of rumors in recent days regarding Aaron Rodgers’ dispute with management and his desire to either be traded or retire. Here’s one of the latest rumors: that one of the major factors was the release of former Warkawk Jake Kumerow from the team.
Kumerow originally attended Illinois. He caught 3 passes for 15 yards with the Illini. He then transferred to UW-W. Kumerow finished with 158 receptions for 2648 yards and 36 touchdowns for the Warhawks, and was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and New Orleans Saints. He was released by the Packers during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020. (Source: Wikipedia)
Here’s a link to the story on packerswire.com
This Week’s City Meetings (Updated with Landmarks, Alcohol Licensing & CDA, all on Thursday)
Joint Meeting of the Common Council, Community Development Authority, and Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Tax Incremental Financing Districts, followed by a separate meeting of Common Council
Due to Coronavirus Concerns, this will be a VIRTUAL MEETING. (not in person).
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
https://zoom.us/j/98182573052?pwd=SGRvYnMxOHlQUzFHQy9iYnNPMUtLQT09
Passcode: 386880
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 1 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 981 8257 3052
Passcode: 386880
City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 3:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Public Hearing for Proposed Local Landmark Designation of the Everett and Ellen Long House (1259 Satinwood Lane) and Hamilton House request for restoration
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/804418477
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: (872) 240‐3212
Access Code: 804‐418‐477
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/804418477
CITY OF WHITEWATER ALCOHOL LICENSING COMMITTEE MEETING – Thursday @ 4:45 p.m.
(VIRTUAL MEETING DUE TO COVID-19)
Agenda: The matter of the Non-Renewal of the “Class B” (Beer and Liquor) Retail
License for the Sale of Fermented Malt Beverages and Intoxicating Liquor
Issued to GAC Enterprises, Inc., Gregory A. Condos, Agent – MITCHELL’S
/ PUMPERS, 158-162 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/95021727428?pwd=WXFEbWtuWlZLT1MzZk9sZTFkZWdMQT09
Passcode: 683178
Or Telephone:
Dial
US: 1 312 626 6799 or 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 950 2172 7428
Passcode: 683178
Community Development Authority Special Meeting – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda: Deliberating sale of vacant land located on Bluff Road (Lot 2, Certified Survey Map #4054).
Due to Coronavirus concerns, this meeting will be a VIRTUAL MEETING (not in
person)
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/651990941
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 651-990-941
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/651990941
Whitewater Fire Department, Inc Business Meeting – Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes seek outside audit for WFD for true operating costs and seek WFD legal representation separator from City of Whitewater
Due to Coronavirus Concerns, this will be a VIRTUAL MEETING.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
meet.google.com/rix-smkk-amn
You can also dial in using your phone.
1 813-435-5403
Access Code:
822 050 648#
New to Google Meets? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
meet.google.com/rix-smkk-amn