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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
October 14, 2020

City Clerk Michele Smith reports that the state Department of Administration’s estimate of the city’s population for 2020 is 15,035. This is the first time in history that the population has passed the 15,000 threshold. Of course, the current and historic numbers shown below include a significant portion of UW-W’s enrollment. The “long-term” population is unknown, with most speculation being in the range of 6000-8000.

Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision announced on October 13, the U.S. Census Bureau has announced that it is closing the 2020 census effective on October 15. A lawsuit had sought to extend the collection through October 31. The data that is used for local and state redistricting is due to be released by March 31, 2021.

		2020	2019	2018
Walworth Co		11,976	12111	11966
Jefferson Co		3,059	2812	2838
Total		15,035	14923	14804

(Whitewater Chamber submission) The Whitewater Chamber of Commerce has re-imagined its annual Ghoul’s Night Out event. This year we are hosting a socially distanced scavenger hunt that will take place the whole week before Halloween, 10/24 – 10/30/20. Families/children will grab a scavenger hunt form and explore town looking for the hidden Halloween symbols at local businesses. There are symbols hidden on the east side, west side, and downtown! Once you have located at least 10 of the hidden symbols bring your completed scavenger hunt forms to the Discover Whitewater offices to pick up a spooky bag of tasty treats and get entered into the prize drawing for an amazing basket of seasonal goodies!

Children and families are encouraged to grab a scavenger hunt form from the Discover Whitewater office downtown, 150 W. Main Street, or print one from either the Whitewater Area Chamber Facebook event post or the chamber’s event page. Forms will be available at the downtown offices by 10/21. While we cannot tell you which businesses are participating, (that would give away the symbol locations), we want to thank the over 20 local businesses for joining in on the fun!

If you would like more information about this event please contact us by phone at 263-473-4005 or by email at info@whitewaterchamber.com Happy Hunting and Happy Halloween!

(J-Hawks submission) “We sell really nice wreaths at a great price, which are delivered the week of Thanksgiving.  Delivery is to anyone within a 30 mile radius of Whitewater,” said Coach Cheri Zimdars.

Simply click on this link to order:  J-Hawk Wreath Sale Link or email Coach Cheri at j_hawkswim@charter.net and she will send you the order from.

The J-Hawk Aquatic Club is a 501(c)3 providing both swim lessons and competitive swimming to youth in Whitewater and surrounding communities.  No child is ever turned away due to financial reasons.

Premiering Thursday, October 15th at 7:00 p.m., ‘From Our Home To Yours’ features entertainment from some of Young Auditorium’s most beloved performers.

(Young Auditorium submission) While dealing with the financial effects of a temporary shutdown, Young Auditorium is getting extremely creative with its latest fundraising event, a first-of-its-kind virtual-telethon. Premiering Thursday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m., From Our Home To Yours is a digital video presentation featuring performances donated by some of Young Auditorium’s most beloved theatrical artists and musicians. All proceeds earned from this event will directly support Young Auditorium’s general operations fund, reinforcing the venue’s efforts to provide the highest quality arts entertainment and community outreach programs.

While highlighting the important role our venue plays in the campus and local communities, the From Our Home To Yours presentation is filled with outstanding music, theatre, and dance performances from entertainers who already have a special connection to Young Auditorium. Participating artists like The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, magician Bill Blagg, and the South Chicago Dance Theatre have each called Young Auditorium home…at least for an evening or two in the past.

The employees and volunteers who spend time here truly feel that Young Auditorium is a second home. For each event we present, we try to give our patrons, and the artists themselves, that same comfortable feeling. And while we’re not open for live, in-person events just yet, the ‘From Our Home To Yours’ program is designed to help bring some of the comforts of Young Auditorium into the homes of our supporters.

~Aaron Wesolowski, Marketing Manager – Young Auditorium

Following guidelines set forth by state and university officials, Young Auditorium temporarily closed its doors to the general public on March 14th, 2020, forcing the venue to cancel all remaining performances scheduled as part of its 2019-2020 season.

“The loss of ticket revenue experienced since the emergency shut-down is of great concern to our organization. With an estimated loss of approximately $200,000 just this fall, Young Auditorium is looking to the community we serve to help us come back stronger than ever. When the time comes to reopen our doors for live, in-person events and outreach activities, we want to be able to exceed the expectations of both loyal customers AND new patrons.”
~Shannon Dozoryst, Director – Young Auditorium

During the From Our Home To Yours telethon event, individuals will be encouraged to make donations using Young Auditorium’s online platform (https://www.uww.edu/youngauditorium/2020-home). The first 50 individuals to set up recurring monthly donations will even be offered a special Young Auditorium VIP pack. All proceeds earned from the event will go directly to the Young Auditorium General Operating fund, allowing the venue to move forward with planning initiatives for short and long-term goals including enhancements to digital programming, community outreach presentations, and arts education initiatives.

SAVE THE DATE:
From Our Home to Yours – Young Auditorium Virtual Fundraising Event
Premiere Week: Thursday, October 15th (7PM) – Thursday, October 22nd

(Presentation will remain available through December 2020)

To watch the virtual fundraiser, and to make your donation, simply visit the Young Auditorium ‘From Our Home To Yours’ website (https://www.uww.edu/youngauditorium/2020-home), or tune in to the Young Auditorium YouTube page starting October 15th at 7:00 p.m. While viewers are highly encouraged to participate during premiere week (10/15-10/22), the video presentation will remain available through the end of the calendar year. No purchase is necessary, but donations are strongly encouraged.

Although our theatre remains temporarily dark this fall, Young Auditorium has multiple opportunities available to watch high quality digital programming from the comfort of your home.

For complete event listings, performance descriptions, and instructions for purchasing and/or accessing
digital content, please visit youngauditorium.com.

(Whitewater Kiwanis submission) The Whitewater Kiwanis Family of Clubs, including Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Circle K, Whitewater High School Key Club, and the Whitewater Middle School Builders Club are celebrating 22 years of selling their beautiful red and white poinsettias in the Whitewater community for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Poinsettia orders are due November 10 (pick-up and delivery would be either November 24 or December 1, with deliveries for those with a 53190 zip code).  The red and white poinsettias are either 6” for $12 each or 8” for $20 each. 

Individuals who wish to purchase poinsettias may contact Rick Norman at 262-391-2228, Jean Bromley at 262-473-9126, Lorrie Koppein at 608-695-6366, Rollie Cooper at 262-473-5375, Marjorie Stoneman at 414-861-4126 or any member of the Kiwanis Clubs.  Orders may be picked up at the Whitewater Greenhouse, 301 Country Road U, Whitewater on November 24 between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. or December 1 between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Delivery arrangements should be made with the Kiwanian who sold the poinsettia. 

Safety is a priority, with all people delivering the poinsettias to wear gloves and masks when they handle the plants and when they are in contact with purchasers.

“The holiday season is brightened by these beautiful plants, and the funds raised help us continue to support the great work being done in Whitewater.  This year especially, with the need to cancel our breakfast in conjunction with the half marathon, we are focusing on the poinsettia sale as a major fundraiser in order to help our community.  We plan to do this with safety in mind, by wearing gloves and masks while handling and delivering the plants,” said Rick Norman, coordinator of the poinsettia sale for the Whitewater Kiwanis Clubs.

The Kiwanis Clubs thank Jim Boyd and the Whitewater Greenhouse for their 22-year partnership that continues to offer the beautiful poinsettia plants and at the same time raises funds to help meet community needs.

The Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club is made up of dedicated volunteers who help both the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100 percent of funds going directly to projects and zero to administrative costs. Over the past 21 years, sales from the poinsettia plants have raised $150,000 for programs in the community. Last year, the club distributed more than $20,000, with donations to the Whitewater Unified School District, including shoes for students and scholarships; in addition the club donated to the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House and the Methodist Church that served free meals during COVID.  Kiwanis helped to build and maintain the Flowing Well Shelter, the shelters at Starin Park and Treyton’s Field of Dreams, the WHS football field lights and press box, as well as adopting a highway to clean up.  In addition, the group donates to the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic Center Family Partnership Fund and more. More information can be found on the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Facebook page.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world
one child and one community at a time.

WE HAVE ADDED A NEW RACE and AWARD DIVISIONS! 
This is an event for the entire family.

(J-Hawks submission) We know that this season has been tough on many younger runners, so we’ve added a 2 mile run/walk race to our events.

We have also created new award divisions for our high school, middle school, and elementary age racers.

New Awards Divisions:

Award Divisions (Top 3, Men, Women – Virtual Racers will have separate awards):

5k and 10k Divisions: Elementary, Middle School, High School, Post HS-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89

2 Mile Divisions: Elementary School, Middle School, Post Middle School

OVERALL WINNERS (We will be awarding gift cards to our IN PERSON overall winners! They will be mailed with your award) :

10K: Overall Men, Overall Women

5K: Overall Men, Overall Women, Overall High School Male, Overall High School Female, Overall Middle School Male, Overall Middle School Female

2 Mile: Overall Elementary, Overall Middle School Male, Overall Middle School Girl

All starts are staggered. Start times will be emailed Thursday night.

REGISTER HERE: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Whitewater/JHawkFallRun

(Studio 84 news release) On Saturday, October 3, 48 ticket holders lined up to collect their dozen cupcakes in Studio 84’s Chocolate Affair: Cupcake War.  Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, Studio 84 is a nonprofit art studio that specializes in the creative development of people with disabilities.

The Chocolate Affair: Cupcake War is Studio 84’s second annual event that celebrates chocolate and the art of baking. This year it got a total redesign from full sized cakes served indoors to cupcakes picked up curbside.  With eight bakers entering their delicious cupcakes and decorated to the hilt, the competition was intense.  There were 48 ‘judges’ who voted on the Best Tasting and the Best Decorated Cupcakes in the County.  People could also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of two beautiful “Death by Chocolate” baskets created by board member Julie Witt.

Bakers who entered their baked goodies were: Sarah Hoots, Addison Sievers, Meredith Campbell, Jeanne Jonely, Angie Stevenson, Jasmine Haag, Katie Krueger, and Lacey Rebarcheck.

Winners of the 2020 Cupcake War were: Best Tasting was Lacey Rebarcheck and the Best Decorated was Meredith Campbell. They will hold this title till next year.

Winners of the raffle were Aimlee Sorenson and Dennis Hillary.

Board members Heather Ruenz and Maragaret Wheeler packaged up 48 dozen cupcakes  (576 of them!) on Friday evening and handed them out curbside on Saturday. Board members Greg Porcaro and Karen McCulloch are happy to report that the event raised more than $1,500.

Proceeds from the event will assist with the many losses Studio 84 endured and continues to due to the shutdown with the pandemic.  Director, Deborah Blackwell, states, “Our artists are back in the studio as of July 7^th after almost four months of being closed. To maintain as much safety as possible we are operating at about a 25% capacity with returning artists. They are excited to be making art again and those who are in our career program are anxious to be selling their work again too.  Sales went down to zero during the shutdown and are slowly coming back.  All of their art fairs for the summer and fall had been canceled.  Right now the only way they are able to sell their work is with our online store and they hope you will consider buying some of their items for holiday gifts this year.”

You can visit Studio 84 online at www.studio84inc.org and follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/studio84inc

(Whitewater Unites Lives Submission) Dean Fischer is at WUL Hometown Hero.  He was nominated “For organizing the Panera bread donation pick-ups for the Whitewater Community Food Pantry, for driving to Kenosha every week of the year, and for his dedication to the Whitewater community.”

Dean and his team of drivers take turns driving weekly to Kenosha to pick up bread for the patrons of the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

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

On October 5, Toppers locations systemwide introduced the following new vegan offerings to their menu:

• Buffalo Chicken-less Topper (with Buffalo sauce, vegan chicken and mozzarella, green onions and vegan ranch)
• Korean BBQ Chicken-less Topper (with Korean barbecue sauce, vegan chicken and mozzarella, onions and peppers)
• Tuscano Topper (with tomato sauce, vegan cheese, spinach, tomatoes and green olives).

The Banner recently spoke with Mac Malchow, the Director of Menu Innovation, about the move into the vegan menu. Although acknowledging that in the U.S. only about 2% of the population follows a vegan diet, Mr. Malchow indicated that he believes adherence to the diet is probably higher in many of the company’s locations, most of which are in medium to large sized cities, including a number of college towns. Vegans consume no food that comes from animals, including meat, eggs, and dairy products. Malchow indicated that the new pizzas, featuring dairy-free mozzarella, should also be attractive to people who are lactose intolerant, or to those who wish to occasionally reduce their meat consumption. “Being from the dairy state, we definitely embrace our cheese,” he quickly clarified, but over the years the company has heard from many would-be customers who are vegan, vegetarian or lactose intolerant who have very limited options to meet their dietary/lifestyle needs in the pickup and delivery restaurant space. The response on the introductory day of the new menu was “awesome,” with customers trying as early as 7 a.m. to place orders for later in the day.

Chef Melanie Manuel, owner of the vegan-friendly Celesta Restaurant in Milwaukee, helped create the menu that was tested in Madison this past July. Ms. Manuel earned a certification in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University, and she says that she believes “plant-based cuisine is the future.” Ms. Manuel’s restaurant is just down the street from a Toppers, and she’s a new customer now that the vegan options are available.

Two of the vegan pizzas are described as “chicken-less,” featuring a plant based “crispy chicken” product from Gardein, which Toppers figured out how to prep appropriately to use as a topping. The third offering, “Tuscano,” features garlic roasted tomatoes and spinach, but has no plant-based protein.

Malchow concluded, “We had to roll something out for people just looking for more fun options in pizza. For those who want dairy on their pizza, we have the perfect option: Wisconsin Curds ‘n Bacon, and, besides, we have a side of Leinie’s beer battered cheese curds.”

Toppers’ International Headquarters is located in Whitewater, alongside one of their 65 stores, about half of which are in WI. The company name is intended to convey its reputation for numerous and unusual pizza toppings. The brand is experiencing record-breaking year-over-year sales, over 25%, influenced by pandemic-era preference for delivery and curbside pickup. Do they have any locations outside the U.S.? Well, no, and actually they currently have no plans to expand internationally, but it sounds good.