At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, the City of Whitewater, Whitewater Unified School District and UW-Whitewater will hold a live town hall via Webex Events. This will be a general discussion, and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during the event.
The panelists will include:
Whitewater Unified School District Caroline Pate-Hefty, District Administrator
City of Whitewater Cameron Clapper, City Manager
UW-Whitewater Greg Cook, Interim Chancellor Artanya Wesley, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Matt Kiederlen, Chief of Police
(DAR Submission) The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter is once again sponsoring this year’s DAR History Essay contest for all students in grades 5-8.
March 5 of this year marked the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Massacre, considered to be a pivotal event that paved the way for the American Revolution.
Thus, this year’s essay focuses on the Boston massacre. The essay topic is: “Imagine you are living in Boston and, after witnessing the Boston Massacre, describe your family’s discussion about what you witnessed and what role it played in organizing the Colonists against the British King and Parliament.”
The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter will collect essays until December 15, 2020, choosing a winner in each grade division. All chapter winning essays are then sent to state competition where winners are selected in each grade level. This year each state winner won a medal and a $200 gift certificate.
If interested in learning more about the contest or receiving the instruction sheet, please contact essay chairperson Vicki Schicker by E-mail, Schicker@hotmail.com or phone. 920 541-3332.
Any students in grades 5-8 can enter regardless of whether they attend parochial or public schools or are home-schooled.
(Whitewater Unites Lives Submission) Pat Metz and Lyn Wolfe are WUL Hometown Heroes “For tirelessly dedicating themselves to Whitewater’s Dementia Friendly Community Initiative (DFCI) for the past 3 ½ years, for helping to set up and run the Rockin’ Respite site that was critical for caregivers, for helping to run the Memory Café at the Whitewater Public Library, and for tirelessly giving emotional and practical support to all the families involved.”
Suzanne Haselow, Pat Metz, Lyn Wolfe and Deb Weberpal are pictured here.
Two different groups nominated Pat and Lyn: the Whitewater Public Library and the Senior Center.
Lyn Wolfe said, “Dementia can be a very lonely journey for both the person with dementia and their care partner. Educating the public through the Make Whitewater Dementia Friendly initiative, socializing through the Memory Café at the ILY Memorial Library, and providing caregiver ‘me time’ through Rockin’ Respite has given purpose and joy to my retirement years. Never underestimate the determination of two retired nurses to make a difference in this community!”
Pat Metz said, “Thank you for the nomination. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to fulfill my personal goal of starting a respite program in Whitewater through the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative. The Memory Café at the ILY Memorial Library, and the Rockin’ Respite, provided a vital service to our community, our caregivers and our guests. We formed a volunteer family of friends and support. We had great fun, it was never ‘work’.”
Suzanne Haselow, of the Irvin L. Young Library, said, “I would like to nominate two Whitewater women for the Hometown Hero award. These women have volunteered to help run the Memory Café, which until COVID, was held once a month at the Whitewater Public Library. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Memory Cafés, they are social events designed for people with dementia, and their care partners, to have fun together and forget about the diagnosis for a while, and share that with people who truly understand their unique challenges. Memory Cafés are considered crucial by dementia professionals to combat the incredible isolation that often happens to families dealing with dementia.
Lyn Wolfe and Pat Metz have been helping with the Café since it started over two and half years ago. Their enthusiasm, positive attitudes, and ability to see what or who needs help in each moment, and take care of it, have been invaluable to me. They both take it upon themselves to provide support to me, as the coordinator, and the families who attend. They have gotten to know all the attendees well through the Memory Café, and also as volunteers with the “Rockin’ Respite” program run through the Senior Center, tirelessly giving emotional and practical support to all the families involved.
The Memory Café would not be the success it is without them. The way they warmly and cheerfully greet each attendee by name sets the tone for every Café. They know that people with dementia respond more to emotional cues than verbal ones, and they are indefatigable in their smiles, positive comments, and absolute welcoming demeanor. In addition, they never fail to help with the more unpleasant tasks, such as stacking chairs or cleaning the tables following a meeting. At one Café, I was very suddenly unable to attend due to a medical condition, and they essentially took over and made it one of the most successful Cafés the library has held.
I believe both these women are excellent ambassadors from Whitewater to all families dealing with dementia. Their skills, knowledge, and dedication are exemplary. I am incredibly thankful for their assistance, and continually awed by their abilities. I think it would be wonderful for the people of Whitewater to know how amazing they are.”
Deb Weberpal, of the Senior Center added to the nomination: “Unfortunately due to COVID, the Rockin’ Respite program is not currently meeting, but the respite site was critical for caregivers needing a break from the often 24/7 duties of caregiving a partner with dementia. The respite site would not have happened if it were not for the commitment of these two ladies. They investigated, found a replicable format, the site, promoted it, and enticed volunteers to participate.
Pat Metz was trained as a memory screener and has helped us offer free memory screens at the center. She is the site coordinator for the twice monthly Rockin’ Respite. She coordinates the volunteers, who match up one-on-one with a ‘guest’, for either a half or full day. She made sure all needed supplies were on hand, as well as, set up and clean-up of the program. She currently helps by distributing information electronically to caregivers during this time of quarantine/physical distancing in an attempt to keep them informed and engaged.
Lyn has helped develop marketing tools and is the activity coordinator for the respite site. Her high energy and infectious smile are perfect for the job. She plans the day for everyone and has a list of what they do for the caregiver. She plans for conversations, quiet time activities, music, energetic games and exercise. She would often buy supplies for the site.
So much of what we have been able to accomplish with the DFCI and Rockin’ Respite has been due to the tireless efforts of these two ladies. They are my Hometown Heroes!”
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
(League of Women Voters submission) The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area reminds voters to prepare and be informed regarding the upcoming November 3 General Election. In addition to the presidential race, November’s ballot also includes numerous local contests such as County Clerk, County District Attorney, County Register of Deeds, and County Treasurer, as well as State Assembly Representative.
One source for nonpartisan candidate information is the League’s voter guide on VOTE411.org, where voters can view and compare candidates’ verbatim responses to League questionnaires. This resource also includes information on registering to vote and finding out what is on your ballot. The League highly encourages voters to prepare for the upcoming election by becoming informed of their options and reminding others to do the same.
The League is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit their website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like them on Facebook!
(Discover Whitewater submission) – The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon and 5k’s eighth annual event took place on Sunday, September 20, 2020 and was a huge success, with 300 runners and over 100 volunteers from all over. Everyone came together to put on an athletic, community event.
Stacey Kincaid won first place in the women’s half marathon
Thank you to everyone for making the eighth annual event such a success. The safety of participants, volunteers and the entire Whitewater community were the top priority of this event and, thanks to everyone’s cooperation, the DWS team was able to hold a fun and safe event.
Michael Hatter won first place in the men’s half marathon
“From start to finish everything felt safe and controlled, and truly this event was an awesome opportunity to get participants out during the pandemic and do physical activity,” said 5k participant Tiffany Pernat. “In a time when motivation is really hard to find, this was a huge victory.”
The DWS is a charity event and designated proceeds from the race go to five local charities: Bethel House, Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater LEADS, J-Hawk Aquatic Club and Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3).
Anna Ollendick won first place in the women’s 5K
Awards are given to the top three men and top three women of the half marathon and of the 5k.
The top female runners for the half marathon were first place winner, Stacey Kincaid who had a time of 1:25:33.10, second place winner Lisa Mautz who had a time of 1:28:54.43, and third place winner Paulina Fote who had a time of 1:31:52.67.
Austin Depuydt won first place in the men’s 5K
The first place male winner is Michael Hatter, who had a time of 1:14:22.88. The second place male winner is Samba Binagi, who had a time of 1:18:37.84 and our third place male winner was John Ejnik. Ejnik received a time of 1:21:45.43.
The top female runners for the 5k are as follows: in first place with a time of 20:50.48 is Anna Ollendick, in second place with a time of 21:27.18 is Heidi Manem and in third place with a time of 21:38.75 is Samantha Benson.
The top runners for the men’s 5k are as follows: in first place with a time of 16:26.59 is Austin Depuydt, in second place with a time of 16:41.91 is Mark Elworthy, and in third place with a time of 17:39.73 is Heath Huschitt.
The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to our five local non-profit partners. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.
Mary Lou Lein was born 11/15/1930 in Menominee,WI. Died 08/02/2020. She was the youngest of 4 children, Bob, Bill, and Arliss(all deceased). Mom came to Whitewater in 1950 to attend UW-Whitewater to obtain a teaching degree. She met my father Art and they were married in 1953. She had 2 children…Kevin (me) and Eric (deceased 2016) and spent her entire adult life in Whitewater. She was active in the Congregational Church UCC since her marriage. She taught for a few years and then became a fulltime housewife/mom. She was a cub scout den mother and was active in many organizations in the area. She helped Dad in his store, Art Lein’s Mens Wear during the 60’s and 70’s. Dad and she were bigtime supporters of UWW and attended many football and basketball games over the years. Dad was one of the founding members of the Quarterback Club in the 1950’s. She led a long and fulfilling life with her husband, Art, for 67 years. As her and Dad’s health declined they ended up in Fairhaven, a local nursing home. They spent their last days together there. Dad is still there but on hospice care and will be writing about him very soon as well. I’m obviously a wee bit biased but I don’t think I ever knew a kinder more genteel person than my Mom. She will be greatly missed. RIP Mom.
The Walworth County Health Department and Sheriff’s Office are partnering with the Wisconsin National Guard to offer a COVID-19 public testing site.
The event will be held at the Walworth County Fairgrouds on September 29th and 30th from 10am – 6pm. The Walworth County Fairgrounds are located at 411 E Court Street in Elkhorn, WI. Participants can access the event via the Market St entrance.
No appointment is necessary, although pre-registration for the event is encouraged by visiting https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov/. Pre-registration ensures an efficient testing process that produces faster result notification. Members of the Wisconsin National Guard will administer nasal swab tests and will manage the specimen samples. Those receiving tests will not be charged.
(Lakeview Elementary School submission) The Whitewater Lions Club presented Lakeview Elementary’s Lakeview Loves program with a check from an online Facebook Fundraiser hosted by Lion Don McComb. The Whitewater Lions Club has been a big supporter of Lakeview Loves, a free weekend food-in-a-backpack program offered to all Lakeview students. Due to limitations and restriction of visitors to school buildings during the COVID pandemic, the Lions are also helping to store food and have been packing bags at the clubhouse. THANK YOU to the Lions Club for their dedication to fighting hunger in our local community! From Lakeview Loves, “Together our community is doing an amazing job at keeping our Lakeview students fed and ready to learn!”
Pictured: Lion Sue Patnaude, Lion Don McComb, Summer Markham Lakeview Loves, Lions Steve and Judy Malone
For more information or to donate to Lakeview Loves, please contact Lakeview Elementary at 262-472-8400. For more information on the Whitewater Lions Club, please call (262) 391-3421. Please check out both groups on Facebook!
