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Walworth County Seeking Volunteers to Help with Invasive Plant Removal

(Walworth County submission) Walworth County Public Works is seeking volunteers to help with the removal of invasive plant species at County parks.

On Friday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers will assist the Lake Geneva Conservancy and Walworth County Public Works with the removal of buckthorn and other invasive species at White River County Park, 6503 Sheridan Springs Rd. in Lake Geneva.

Volunteers can also pitch in on May 8 at Natureland Park in Whitewater. Efforts will again focus on the removal of invasive plant species.

Those interested in volunteering should contact Walworth County Volunteer Services Coordinator Colleen Lesniak at (262) 741-4223, clesniak@co.walworth.wi.us.

For anyone interested in learning about groundwater-fed wetlands, the Kettle Moraine Land Trust (KMLT) is hosting a Seeps, Springs, and Fen Wetlands educational workshop on May 8 at Natureland Park. KMLT’s Greg Rajsky will describe various wetland types, explore wetland functions, and introduce attendees to some of the special species that inhabit the wetlands at Natureland Park. Contact rachel@kmlandtrust.org to register.

White River County Park. Photo courtesy of: Brent Brooks, Walworth County


Council Members Sworn In — In-person Meeting Option Projected for June

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

New Whitewater Common Council member Lisa Dawsey Smith was sworn in at the April 20 Whitewater Common Council meeting along with newly re-elected council members Carol McCormick and Brienne Diebolt Brown, as well as Greg Majkrzak, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term last year.

The Common Council also elected officers, appointed Council members and citizens to fill vacancies on various City Committees and Commissions and made plans to offer a “hybrid” option for public meeting participants as early as this June. City meetings have been held electronically since last March as part of COVID-19 pandemic protocols. The hybrid option would allow individuals, either committee members or observers, to chose between attendance in person or electronically.

Fourth District Council Member Lynn Binnie was unanimously re-elected as Council President. Council Member-At-Large Jim Allen was elected to serve as Common Council President in Binnie’s absence. New Neighborhood Services Director Chris Bennett and newly appointed Imbedded Police Crisis Intervention Officer Amanda Akridge were welcomed. Akridge, a social worker who previously worked as a Milwaukee Police Officer, will be working full-time to assist Whitewater Police under a program initiated and funded by Walworth County to measure the impact of having a more “human services” approach to policing.

In other business the Common Council took official action to close the last of its existing Tax Incremental Finance Districts (TIDs), authorized a consulting contract to manage an $859,366 grant that will partially fund construction of a new water tower, and laid out a schedule for potential formulation of new TIDs which will include an early May joint meeting of the Common Council, Community Development Authority and City Plan Commission.

TIDS are a commonly used economic development strategy that allows municipalities to fund infrastructure and other improvements with the property tax revenue generated by future development within their boundaries. The City of Whitewater has been prevented from creating new TIDs because of the existence of multiple TIDS created, but not closed, over a 20+ year period. The City plans an aggressive public outreach effort over the next several months to gain the understanding and support of citizens and other stakeholders as potential new TIDs are developed.

This Weekend’s Garage Sales

Mini-estate sale
341 Eden Court, Whitewater
Saturday, April 24 – Noon – 2 p.m.

Items include antique kitchen chairs, night stands, lamps, a double bed, an egg cup collection and other knick-knacks and collectibles. Six boxes of Blue Willow dishes. Glassware and antique china. Priced to sell.  

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2-Family Rummage Sale
640 and 653 Foxglove Lane, Whitewater
Thursday, Friday & Saturday April 22, 23, and 24
10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tools and electrical, Hunting/fishing equipment and clothing. Furniture, lawn/garden, electrical. Packer memorabilia. 262-233-0248

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We do not post individual sales outside the school district, but FYI are including the following info on a community sale.

It is said “My trash is someone else’s treasure”. The public will have an opportunity to explore those treasures Friday April 23 and Saturday August 24 at a Rummage-a-Rama in the Village of Johnson Creek and surrounding countryside. Sales are scheduled from 8-3. Some sales will be held beginning Thursday and others continuing Sunday. Highlights include:

The Friends of the Johnson Creek Public Library will be joining the effort by hosting their used book sale at the Community Center, 417 Union Street on both August 23 and 24. The Friends mission is to support the local library by funding the summer reading program and purchasing items not covered by the municipal budget.

Sustain Jefferson’s annual sale, at 147 Pheasant Run, will include various household items in addition to organic seed potatoes, seedlings, and plants. Potato varieties this year are: Superior, Yukon Gold, Adirondack Blue, Peter Wilcox, Oneida Gold, and French Fingerling

The American Legion Post, 323 1st Street, will be selling brats and burgers at their Legion Post beginning at 7:30 each day. They will also be opening their bar for patrons.

Crossroads Church’s sale at 111 South Street will have sales to support their church mission.

Area residents, hosting a sale, may register their sale with an email to caroljo@tds.net or leaving a message at 920-699-3682.

Individual sellers may require attendees to observe Covid 19 standards. Public restrooms will be available at Veteran’s Park, Bell Park, Centennial Park, and the Community Center.

A listing of sales, with addresses, will be posted on the Facebook Johnson Creek Community Page on April 20 or by requesting a list via email at caroljo@tds.net.

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.

Earth Day – April 22

(From Wikipedia) Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network)[1] including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.[2][1]

In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be observed on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature’s equipoise was later sanctioned in a proclamation written by McConnell and signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later a United States Senator (Banner note: from Wisconsin) Gaylord Nelson proposed the idea to hold a nationwide environmental teach-in on April 22, 1970. He hired a young activist, Denis Hayes, to be the National Coordinator. Nelson and Hayes renamed the event “Earth Day”. Denis and his staff grew the event beyond the original idea for a teach-in to include the entire United States. More than 20 million people poured out on the streets, and the first Earth Day remains the largest single day protest in human history. Key non-environmentally focused partners played major roles. Under the leadership of labor leader Walter Reuther, for example, the United Auto Workers was the most instrumental outside financial and operational supporter of the first Earth Day.[3][4][5] According to Hayes, “Without the UAW, the first Earth Day would have likely flopped!”[6] Nelson was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom award in recognition of his work.[7]

The first Earth Day was focused on the United States. In 1990, Denis Hayes, the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international and organized events in 141 nations.[8][9][10]

On Earth Day 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement was signed by the United States, China, and some 120 other countries. This signing satisfied a key requirement for the entry into force of the historic draft climate protection treaty adopted by consensus of the 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

Numerous communities engaged in Earth Day Week actions, an entire week of activities focused on the environmental issues that the world faces.[11]

On Earth Day 2020, over 100 million people around the world observed the 50th anniversary in what is being referred to as the largest online mass mobilization in history.[2]

National Honor Society Culver’s Benefit Tues., 4/27

Greetings Great City of Whitewater!
Please help the National Honor Society raise money for local scholarships by dining at Culver’s in Whitewater between 5 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27!  A percentage of their proceeds will be donated to the National Honor Society for local scholarships that evening!  A great time will be had by all! 

Pamela Sonmor-Wintz, School Counselor, Whitewater High School Scholarship Coordinator,
National Honor Society Advisor

William Truman (Bill) Berry, 88, of Whitewater, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, April 16, 2021


William Truman (Bill) Berry, 88, of Whitewater, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, April 16, 2021. Bill was born in Boone, Iowa on September 30, 1932. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Pauline and Jack Mustapha. Bill had four siblings: Jo Betty (Barrow) Tyler, Patty Ann Barrow, Karen (Mustapha) Langmade, and Jack Mustapha. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Ruth (nee Stotts).

Bill graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. After working in Holstein, Iowa for five years as a teacher, head boys basketball coach, freshman-sophomore football coach and freshman-sophomore track coach at Holstein High School, Bill completed his master’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The Berry family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin where Bill would oversee setting up a new athletic training department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He would also teach in the physical education department. He spent 24 wonderful years at UWW.

In 1985 Bill enjoyed a two-year stay in Manama, Bahrain where he was employed by the Bahraini government. His many faceted jobs included teaching and research at the Bahraini College of Health Sciences, rehabilitation of injured athletes, establishing fitness clubs for adults, and conducting hospital seminars and consulting.

In 1997, Bill was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame. He was also honored by his induction into the UW-Whitewater Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.

Bill is survived by his children, Kim (Lee) Woyahn, and Kris Smith; his grandchildren, Kendra (Nic) Barnes, Michael and Jenny Woyahn, Joshua (Jamie) and McKenna Smith; his great grandchildren Emily and Cora, and many other family and friends.

Bill enjoyed camping, fishing, and taking walks with Ruth up north in Arbor Vitae in the summers and in Orange Beach, Alabama in the winter months. He will be missed by family and friends. A private memorial service will be held at a later date in the Northwoods.

Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, Crematory and Preplanning Services is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at www.randledable.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.

UW-Whitewater Softball Powers Way to Two Wins

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

UW-Whitewater Softball Powers Way to Two Wins

Game 1 Box Score: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/softball/2021/uwspsb24.htm

Game 2 Box Score: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/softball/2021/uwspsb25.htm

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team scored late in the first game and early in the second game Tuesday, posting wins in both contests at UW-Stevens Point in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader.

The Warhawks (15-7 overall, 5-3 WIAC) scored three runs in the top of the seventh for a 7-4 triumph in the opener, and tallied five runs in the top of the first in Game 2 for an 8-3 victory.

In Game 1, UW-Whitewater turned a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 advantage, then broke a 4-4 tie in the seventh on solo home runs by third baseman Meg Cohrs and right fielder Meghan Dunning, and a two-out, run-scoring double by second baseman Delaney Becker.

Becker led the offense with three hits, while Dunning finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored. First baseman Kaleigh O’Brien socked a two-out, three-run homer to left in the fifth inning and added one walk and two runs scored.

Catcher Nikki Mikosz homered to lead off the top of the fourth inning and added one walk.

Pitcher Marissa Adams claimed her first win of the year, allowing only one run on one hit while striking out three over four innings in relief. Kate Cleveland started and tossed the first three frames.

In the nightcap, the Warhawks started fast on RBI hits by Mikosz and Dunning and a three-run homer by Kaleigh O’Brien in the opening frame.

From there, UW-W played even with UW-Stevens Point (15-10, 2-4), answering each of the Pointers’ first two runs with a run of their own in the ensuing inning.

Rhiann Dick improved to 5-3 on the season, striking out three over five innings. Marissa Adams pitched the sixth, and Annie Morelli pitched around a leadoff double for a scoreless seventh.

Cohrs reached base in all four of her plate appearances, collecting a run-scoring single in the second and a solo homer in the sixth while adding a pair of walks. Dunning finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and O’Brien recorded a pair of walks to go along with her home run.

Centerfielder Vera Pflugradt posted one hit, one walk and two runs scored, and left fielder Krista Sbarra reached base twice with one hit and one walk.

The Warhawks continue WIAC play Friday with a home doubleheader against UW-La Crosse. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at van Steenderen Softball Complex.

No. 8 Warhawk Baseball Splits at UW-Stevens Point

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

No. 8 Warhawk Baseball Splits at UW-Stevens Point

Box Score Game 1: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/uwspb20.htm

Box Score Game 2: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/uwspb21.htm

The No. 8 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team remains in a tie atop the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings following a doubleheader split at UW-Stevens Point on Tuesday.

The Warhawks (18-3 overall, 12-2 WIAC) and Pointers (17-4, 12-2) share the conference lead at the midway point of the regular season after UW-Whitewater won the opener 11-1 in seven innings before dropping Game 2 by a 7-3 score.

In Game 1, the Warhawks tallied seven runs in the first and three in the second to back a strong outing from pitcher Westin Muir, who allowed one run on three hits with one walk and eight strikeouts over his complete-game performance. The right-hander improved to 5-0 on the year with the win.

Designated hitter Taylor White homered for the third straight game and finished 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. Third baseman Tucker Criswell, shortstop Nick Santoro and right fielder Jacob DeMeyer also homered for UW-W. Criswell totaled two hits and two runs scored, Santoro collected three hits, including three-fourths of the cycle, three runs scored and three RBIs, and DeMeyer contributed three hits, one run scored and three RBIs.

Left fielder Matt Korman posted two hits and two runs scored, and second baseman Sam Vomhof hit a two-run single in the top of the first inning.

In the nightcap, the Warhawks out-hit the Pointers 11-9, but left nine runners on base, including six over the first three innings.

Criswell homered for the second straight game, and outfielder Zach Campbell knocked his second homer of the year with two outs in the ninth. Designated hitter Ben Wilkins reached base three times with one walk and two hits, including a run-scoring single in the top of the fifth.

Pticher Ben Muscatello took the loss for UW-Whitewater, dropping to 0-1 on the year. Connor Moroder and Max Huseboe were strong in relief, allowing only one run over the final five innings.

The Warhawks host the Pointers in another league doubleheader this Friday. First pitch at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.