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Support Wisconsin Dairy Yard Sign Campaign Update

(Katzman Farms submission) Elizabeth Katzman, a senior at Whitewater High School, was happy to support seven Whitewater businesses – Toppers Pizza, Rocky Rococo, Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Gus’ Pizza Palace, Rosa’s Pizza, and La Piazza Pizzeria – by purchasing $1,200 worth of gift cards for her recent Support Wisconsin Dairy donation to The Community Space and the Whitewater Community Food Pantry. Katzman raised $10,000 this spring through her Support Wisconsin Dairy yard sign campaign and is using the funds to make monthly donations that support Wisconsin’s dairy industry.

Photo ID – left to right – Judy Malone, Barbara Quast, Steve Malone (Whitewater Community Food Pantry volunteers), Elizabeth Katzman, Kay Robers, John Landes, Kelly Landes (Whitewater Community Space volunteers)


FBLA Members Compete in Virtual Regional; Mayer Advances to State

Article by Baron West
Whitewater High School FBLA Advisor
bwest@wwusd.org

Wisconsin’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Regional Competition looked a little different this year. Instead of having the event in person at Kenosha Bradford High School on February 6th, students from schools in southeastern Wisconsin were able to attend the event virtually. Five FBLA members from Whitewater took part in the competition. 

Audrey Mayer

Three students participated in exam-based competitions, which have students test their knowledge in business and career based skills. Jenna Caldwell was the first member to compete for Whitewater. Jenna, who is a senior, decided to take part in the Hospitality and Event Management Test. Jenna placed 7th in this event. Sophia Walton, a junior, tested her knowledge in Personal Finance and placed 6th in the event. Audrey Mayer, also a junior, was the third and final member from Whitewater to test herself in the exam based competition. Audrey placed 2nd in the Health Care Administration exam and will move on to the State Competition on April 12th by placing in the top 3. 

Aldo Rodriguez, a junior, competed a little bit differently. Aldo applied his talents in the Graphic Design event. Instead of taking an exam for this event, competitors were instead given a topic for which they had to create a product and also put together a presentation over what they designed. Aldo finished 4th in this event.

The last competitor for Whitewater was Olive Coburn, who is also a junior. Olive’s event also looked a little bit different. On February 6th, Olive competed in the Impromptu Speaking event. In this event competitors are only given 10 minutes to plan out a speech after being given the topic by the judges. Olive placed 5th in this event.

Doris L. Keiser of Oconomowoc, age 89, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021 due to complications from Covid-19 and heart failure

Doris L. Keiser of Oconomowoc, age 89, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021, at The View at Pine Ridge due to complications from Covid-19, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. She was born on September 21, 1931, to Rudy (Dora) Krause in Chicago. She was married to William Keiser. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and her parents.

Doris is survived by her children: Robin (Lynn) Keiser, Randy (Sandy) Keiser, Douglas (Sharon) Keiser, Richard (Brenda) Keiser, and Charles (Lisa) Keiser, her grandchildren: Tera (Mike), Bryan (Ashley), Kevin, Jeff, Lori, Jon (Courtney), Kelly (Adam), Kerry, Jenna, Samantha (Jay), Austin (Stephanie), Forest, and Noah; 17 great-grandchildren; her brother, Russell Krause; her niece, Sara (Tim) Cody; and her “sixth son”, Rob (Pam) Hicklin. All of whom she loved and touched deeply.

Doris lived on a small farm with Bill where she enjoyed gardening and raising her boys. Doris worked for many years at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. She loved her hobbies which included: quilting, calligraphy and creating ceramic dolls. Doris most enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She especially loved being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made friends everywhere she went and had fun getting involved in lots of activities.

She will be dearly missed but will live on in our hearts for generations.

A memorial service will be planned in the future to celebrate Doris’ life.

Memorials in Doris’ name may be made to First English Lutheran Church and Heart Prairie Church, 401 W. Main Street, Whitewater WI, 53190, or Immanuel Lutheran Church, 204 N. 10th Street, Watertown WI 53094.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Advocate Aurora Medical and the View at Pine Ridge in Oconomowoc for their wonderful care and support of Doris.

Friend Reaches State Wrestling Podium

Article and Photo by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org

In a year that has seen many sports seasons look very different for student-athletes, the wrestlers saw the season conclude with the State Wrestling Championships looking different as well. As opposed to all three divisions culminating at the Kohl Center, the divisions converged in 3 different areas of the state. For the Whippets that meant we went to Adams-Friendship High School. This is a great opportunity to teach students that the Kohl Center is just a location; wrestling is the same to compete to reach the top of the podium.

Whitewater’s Carter Friend competed in his second state tournament in an extremely tough weight class, which is the case when you reach that level. Friend drew a tough first round match against the defending state champion and although he had the right mindset, his opponent showed why he was the champ and was poised to later win his 2nd title with convincing wins all day.

This loss dropped Carter into the consolation bracket, yet still alive for 3rd place. In his first wrestle-back match Carter had a dogfight of a match that went into overtime. The extra work that he has put in with his partner David Cushman every day after practice paid off. Carter was able to create a very clean shot to finish overtime with a takedown to win 3-1. This put Carter into the Consolation Semi-Finals against an opponent who had a tough semi-final match losing, but also hurting his shoulder enough where he was unable to compete. This was unfortunate as we do not like to win that way, but I am confident based on watching the young man, Carter would have been able to have success with his takedowns and constant pressure on the young man. 

To close out the day, Friend was on the 3rd place mat in which he wrestled a 4x qualifier and 3x place winner in a young man from Amery. His opponent holds great position on his feet with his long body and was a tough rider. In the end, Carter dropped the match 3-0, thus taking 4th place in the state, a great accomplishment for Carter this year. 

This closed out a great season for Carter (16-4 overall with his losses coming to the state champ, state runner up and state 3rd) as well as the Whippet Wrestlers. As a team, the Whippets had a very nice year with all the changes. In dual meets they were 5-2, finished 2nd in the region and 7th in sectional, with 5 sectional qualifiers and 1 state qualifier.

Gymnastics Conference Tournament Held at Waterford High School

Article and Photos By Kelly O’Hara
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
OHaraKL17@uww.edu

On Saturday, February 13th, the WHS Gymnasts were in action at their Conference Tournament at Waterford High School. The Whippets competed against Burlington-Badger (BBG), Wilmot-Union Grove-Williams Bay (WUW), Elkhorn, Waterford, and Jefferson.

At Conference, the Whippet gymnasts competed their hearts out and had a team score of 111.025.

Halee Peters had a successful meet scoring an 8.25 on Vault and a 7.35 on Beam. Anna Ejnik scored an 8.05 on Vault and a 7.075 on Floor. Jenna Caldwell scored an 8.15 on Vault and a 7.275 on Bars. Caleigh Yang scored a 7.2 on Vault and a 7.05 on Beam. Brenda Aguilar scored a 7.35 on Vault and a 6.75 on Floor.

The JV competitors had a successful meet scoring many personal bests. The personal bests included Isabelle Dieter scoring a 7.675 on Vault and Alexis Kuhnke scoring a 6.75 on Vault. Lauren Buehler also had a season high on the Floor Exercise scoring a 6.0 and also scored a 7.45 on Vault. Brooke Bazeley scored a 4.8 on Floor.

Overall, these athletes had a very successful Conference Tournament and the WHS Gymnastics Coaches and Parent- Athlete supporters couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments. If you want to see more flips and twists, come support your Whippet Gymnasts at their Sectional Tournament on Friday, February 19th, at Whitefish Bay High School. Gooooo, WHS Gymnastics!!! 

Primary Election Today (Tues., Feb. 16) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction & Whitewater Unified School District Board

In the February 16 primary election voters may choose only one of the seven candidates for State Superintendent and up to two candidates for Whitewater Unified School Board. The two candidates with the most votes for the state position and the four candidates with the highest vote totals for the local positions will advance to the general election on April 6.

There is only one polling place for the city, the Downtown Armory, 146 W. North Street. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A photo ID is required in order to vote. Citizens may register to vote at the polls if they have lived in the same residence for at least the past 28 consecutive days. Proof of residence must be provided.

Our thanks to the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area for permission to publish the responses to their candidate questionnaires for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Whitewater Unified School District Board. These responses are also available on www.vote411.org, where comparisons may also be made between candidates. Spanish translations of the candidates’ answers for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction may also be found on that site.

Mom’s Gone Missing: When a Parent’s Changing Life Upends Yours – Thurs., Feb. 24

Susan Marshall

(Fort Atkinson Library press release) Author Susan Marshall will discuss her book “Mom’s Gone Missing: when a parent’s changing life upends yours” on Thursday, February 24. There will be a morning presentation at 10:30 a.m. and an evening program at 6:30 p.m. These presentations will take place on Zoom and broadcast to the library’s Facebook page. To register for either of the Zoom presentations go to fortlibrary.org/missing. To watch on Facebook simply login to Facebook and go to the Library’s page at the start time for either presentation.

Three years ago Susan learned her mom, who had Alzheimer’s, went missing when she drove into the Arizona desert and no one could locate her. Susan didn’t know the type of car she had, where her auto insurance was kept or other pertinent details. The police sent out a ‘Silver Alert’ and eventually found her, but there were many lessons learned on this journey.

Susan will share her own experiences about this important topic. She shares many tips for when you find yourself a caregiver of a loved one and how each of us can organize our lives so we have good files of important documents.

This story is insightful, often humorous and important as readers may need to traverse a multitude of bumps in the road as a personal caregiver to their parents, as Susan did–and what to look out for when they do.

Ralph Ronald Johnson, 91, Whitewater, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021 at his home.

Ralph Ronald Johnson, 91, Whitewater, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021 at his home. 

Ralph was born on November 21, 1929 in Waukegan, IL to Fredrick and Elsie (Olson) Johnson.  He graduated from Waukegan High School and attended Lake Forest College.  Ralph served his country in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954 and received the Korean Service Medal.  On May 23, 1973 he married Elinor Schufletowski in Fond Du Lac, WI.  Ralph worked for AC Delco and for General Electric as an engineer.  He enjoyed riding his bike, golfing and flying out of Crites Field in Waukesha.  He was a member of Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson. 

He is survived by his wife, Elinor of Whitewater; children Cynthia (Roger) Ball, Huntersville, NC, Connie (Jeff) Lamm, Ormond Beach, FL, Thomas (Nikki Ferguson) Johnson, Avondale, AZ, Rebecca (Tom) Krause, Waukesha, WI, Kristen (Tom) McCulloch, Milton, WI; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents. 

A private service will be held at Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church.  As an expression of sympathy, you may wish to consider memorials to Rainbow Hospice.  Online condolences may be made by visiting nitardyfuneralhome.com.   

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family. 

Pamela Ann Kane, of Madison, passed away after living with metastatic breast cancer at the Veterans Hospital, on Tues., Feb. 2, 2021 at the age of 67

Pamela Ann Kane, of Madison, Wis., passed away after living with metastatic breast cancer at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at the age of 67. Pam was born in Fort Atkinson, Wis., on Sept. 22, 1953, the daughter of Doris (nee Roloff) and John F. Kane, who met while both were serving in the U.S. Army. Two months after birth, Pam took her first Trans-Atlantic trip with her mother and older sister to meet up with her father who served with the U.S. Army in Austria. Thus began Pam’s life of travels that would take her throughout the United States and to Taiwan, Germany, China and Italy. Coming from an Army family, Pam proudly wore the badge of “Army brat.”

After graduating from Whitewater High School in 1971, Pam studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1975. She attained the rank of sergeant and served as an MP with the 42nd Military Police Brigade in Italy. After discharge Pam worked as the editor of the San Antonio Citizen News in Texas. She then relocated to the greater D.C. area where Pam worked as the editor for the National Guard Association Magazine. Pam was a company commander in the D.C. National Guard and attained the rank of Captain. In 1991, Pam was called to serve in Desert Storm with the 372nd MP Battalion, 14th MP Brigade. After Desert Storm, she completed her B.A. in Journalism and Political Science at the University of Maryland – College Park. Later in life, Pam relocated back to Wisconsin to be closer to family.

As an Army brat, Pam learned to make friends wherever she was stationed. At the end, she was surrounded by the friends she made throughout her life, especially those from her high school and college days whose lasting friendships meant so much to her. Pam’s cats were especially dear to her. Her friend Girlie kept her good company over the last few months. A staunch Democrat, Pam was thrilled that Joe Biden won the election.

Pam and her family would like to thank the many medical professionals associated with the Veterans Health Administration and University of Wisconsin Health Services who helped her, especially the staff at the Infusion Center and Drs. Albertini, Eskola, Hester, Mushtaq, O’Regan, and Stella. Her family especially wants to thank the dedicated professionals at the VA Hospital Hospice Unit for their kind and caring treatment. Pam was diagnosed with cancer four times and beat it three times. She lived well beyond the average survival time from date of diagnosis for MBC with a great quality of life.

Pam is survived by her sisters, Sharon Kane (David Hutton), Rebecca Perez (Raul Perez) and Kelly Kane (Thomas Mackey); her favorite brother, John C. Kane (Anika Noni); her niece, Alejandra Perez (Kyle Kohl); and her nephew, Luis Perez (Tessa Echeverria). In addition, she is survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins of the Roloff family far too numerous to list but whose love and friendship she enjoyed over the last few years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no service will be held. A graveside interment will be held in the spring at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in her name to Planned Parenthood or another organization that she would support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

This Week’s City & School Board Meetings (Updated: Amended Council Agenda and WUSD Calendar Committee)

WUSD Legislative Breakfast – Monday @ 7:30 a.m.
For agenda, click on “meetings” in upper right corner and select this meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86811931015?pwd=dzdTNFRMYVIxQWhxb3dSZ2g3QXRqUT09
Passcode: 862148
Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 868 1193 1015
Passcode: 862148

City of Whitewater Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes report from StudioGC on conceptual plan for library expansion
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/996845301
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Access Code: 996-845-301
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/996845301

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes goose management planning and WAFC open swim guidelines
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/936709453
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Access Code: 936-709-453
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/936709453

WHITEWATER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC. – BUSINESS MEETING – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Closed session to review a decision to place a member on probation
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.google.com/bfi-ktay-wnp
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 540-669-0026
Access Code:
139 633 518
New to Google Meets? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.google.com/bfi-ktay-wnp

Whitewater Unified School District Calendar Committee – Thursday @ 3:45 p.m.
Click here for agenda, then click on “meetings” in upper right corner
via Zoom Online
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89281262219?pwd=ekJxOW8zWHlUV0FNdjNadWlGaFVyZz09
– Passcode: 494012
Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 892 8126 2219
– Passcode: 494012

City of Whitewater Common Council – Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes update on lakes drawdown project, presentation regarding possible extension of Tax Increment Financing District 4, and (new item) Prohibiting Smoking and Vaping within 20 feet of
Playground Equipment or Skate Park Equipment in Public Parks.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96064141555?pwd=WGRyK0ZXOUJ2UnNVNmNJempwQlcxUT09
Passcode: 907305
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 929 205 6099
Webinar ID: 960 6414 1555
Passcode: 907305