Brenda Marie (Buening) Channing went to her eternal home on Tuesday, September 15th. Born March 3, 1949 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin to Lawrence (Larry) and Louise (Scherer) Buening. She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1967, went to beauty school and worked as a beautician at Puddie’s Beauty Salon for many years. Special thank you to Carrie McDermott, who was Brenda’s loving caregiver for the last several years. Brenda loved her children fiercely and they appropriately called her Momma Bear. Brenda is survived by her 3 children, Melissa (Channing) Steffen, Muskego, WI; Andrew Channing, Whitewater, WI; Jill (Channing) Jensen, Janesville, WI; 1 sister, Lisa Sheldon (Joel); 3 grandchildren, Macy, Jameson and Benjamin Jensen; 2 nieces and 1 nephew.
She is preceded in death by her parents and both brothers, Patrick and Brian Buening.
Friends welcome to attend a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 21st.
She is free and at peace with no more struggles and no more tears. She will always be in our hearts and we know her path is clear. So thankful for the precious good times. Her love could not be denied.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
This photo shows a Whitewater High School assembly from 1909. It is somewhat rare to have such quality interior photos that also show the students, since most class photos were taken outside and oftentimes only the exterior of school buildings were photographed. Built in the early 1880s, it served as the high school until it burned in 1927 and was replaced with City High. It was affectionately known as “Big Brick.”
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
Flashback Friday photos are posted to the Facebook account for the Whitewater Historical Society. These images and captions will be posted to the Whitewater Banner the following Saturday morning for members of our audience who do not use social media.
The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook and check out our website at www.whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library would like to invite you to participate in a community oral history project. You can share your experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic, or speak on another topic. For more information on how to participate, please email tthomas@whitewater-wi.gov.
From a press release issued by the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services – Walworth County Health & Human Services (WCDHHS) has cancelled the Welcome to Medicare Workshops scheduled for October 22nd and December 3rd due to the continued pandemic situation. The event was to be held at the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services, 1910 County Rd NN, Elkhorn WI 53121.
“We encourage Walworth County residents to call and speak with a representative from our Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) if they have questions about Medicare,” said Randy Kohl, Health and Human Services Long Term Care Division Manager, “Staff are available to answer questions and connect our seniors to available services.”
If you would like information about services for older adults or need assistance please contact the ADRC of Walworth County at (262)741-3400.
The City of Whitewater has received over 1,500 requests for absentee ballots to date. The Walworth County ballots were mailed out on 9/17/20. Jefferson County ballots have not yet arrived, but are expected to be mailed out on 9/18/20.
For those who prefer to hand deliver their voted ballots to City Hall, there is a secure ballot drop box located in the vestibule of the Whitewater Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI. The vestibule is open 24 hours per day, is lighted, and monitored by cameras.
All completed absentee ballots, including Voter’s Signature, Witness Signature and Witness Complete Address on the certificate Envelope, must be received by the municipal clerk on Election Day in order to be counted.
To register to vote or to receive an absentee ballot, you may go to myvote.wi.gov or contact the City Clerk’s office at (262) 473-0102.
Since 1983, faculty experts from UW-Whitewater have been presenting free public lectures on topics from art and history to current events and influential people. Join us online this fall, as we explore one of the most important issues in our lives today: Election 2020.
The 2020 election season will be like no other in U.S. history. An unconventional incumbent president, an international pandemic, and social and economic unrest will be on voters’ minds this fall. How will these people and events shape campaign messages? What can we learn from past elections in trying times? What will the results mean for 2021 and beyond? Join us this fall as we take a deep dive into Election 2020.
Lectures in the Fall 2020 series will be held virtually. Lectures may be held live via WebEx or pre-recorded and videos of all lectures will be posted to this page. Check individual title for information. Videos of lectures can be accessed for free any time after they are posted below.
September 21 at 3:00 p.m.A Recap of the 2020 Presidential Nomination ProcessSusan Johnson, associate professor, Political Science and assistant dean, College of Letters and SciencesThis lecture will be held via WebEx. Click here to join the event.
September 28 at 3:00 p.m.COVID on the Campaign Trail: The Role of COVID-19 in 2020 U.S. Presidential Campaign CommunicationCorey Davis, professor, CommunicationThis lecture will be held via WebEx. Check back for a link to participate.
Who Owns the Central Bank? Monetary Policy, Government and Elections – Eylem Ersal, associate professor, Economics
Supreme Court Appointees from Bush to Trump: The More Things Change, the More Things Change – Jolly Emrey, associate professor and chair, Political Science
Natural Disasters, Man-made Calamities & the Economy: Making or Breaking the Incumbent President in an Election – Krastina Dzhambova, assistant professor, Economics
One Week Left: The Final Days of the 2020 Campaign and What to Look for on Election Night – Eric Loepp, assistant professor, Political Science
Presidential Elections in Times of Crises – Dick Haven, professor emeritus, Communication
Election Results: Winners, Losers, and What Happens Next – Political Science Faculty Panel
Presidential Transitions: Understanding the Period between Campaigning and Governing – Louis Fucilla, assistant professor, Political Science
Fiscal and Monetary Policy Responses to Covid-19 and its Implication on Presidential Elections – Narendra Regmi, assistant professor, Economics
The content of each lecture in the Fairhaven Lecture Series is the intellectual property of the individual presenter.
(UW-Whitewater Department of Music submission) The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Music always begins its Music Mosaics Concert Series with MungHee Chung’s incredible prowess over keys in black and white, and this year is no exception. In honor of Beethoven’s 250th Birthday, Chung will perform a solo piano concert comprised entirely of Beethoven’s compositions. This year all of the music concerts will be delivered digitally and tickets for this digital concert are on sale now through September 27, 2020. The link for digital content will be sent to ticketholders on September 28, 2020 and will be available for viewing through October 12, 2020. Single tickets are $13, and family viewing tickets (2+ individual viewers) are $26. These ticket rates include all taxes and fees. Call for tickets at 262-472-2222 or at https://tickets.uww.edu
Chung’s concert “Beethoven at 250” includes three Beethoven piano sonatas (No. 3 from early period; No. 23 from middle period, and No. 31 from late period). He wrote 32 piano sonatas during his lifetime. Though almost every composer has different styles that evolved throughout their life, Beethoven’s three styles had more distinctions between them. The early period was influenced by Haydn and Mozart, his sonatas have more traditional forms and styles. His middle period pieces are very virtuosic and dramatic. His late period is more soul-searching, somewhat introverted, and not too technical (very much like Brahms’s late period piano pieces).
“The three sonatas show vast range of emotions and pianistic ability. When thinking about beautiful melodic composers, Chopin and Schubert (for his Lied) come to mind, but Beethoven’s Sonata 31 displays a beautiful, almost haunting, sobbing melody,” shared Chung about the music performed for this concert.
The Music Mosaics concert series benefits the UW-Whitewater Music Department’s Scholarship Fund, allowing the department to recognize students for their musical talents and academic excellence.
Don’t miss the start of the Music Mosaics concert series with “Beethoven at 250.” Tickets for this digital concert are on sale now and are available through September 27, 2020. The link for digital content will be sent to ticketholders on September 28, 2020 and will be available for viewing through October 12, 2020. Single tickets are $13, and family viewing tickets (2+ individual viewers) are $26. These ticket rates include all taxes and fees. Call for tickets at 262-472-2222 or at https://tickets.uww.edu
Newly appointed AD5 Council member Greg Majkrzak II with his family
By Lisa Dawsey Smith Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
At the Common Council meeting on September 15, the members unanimously appointed Gregory Lee Majkrzak II to fill the District 5 seat that was vacated by McKinley Palmer on September 1. The other applicants were Brandon Joseph Thomas and Neil Hicks. Both Majkrzak and Hicks introduced themselves in the Zoom meeting; however, Dr. Thomas did not appear.
Mr. Majkrzak moved to Whitewater in 2016, lives on Tower Hill Pass, and is employed by Generac Power Systems as an Engineering Manager. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, and a Master of Business Administration from William Woods University, Columbia, MO. He is married to Dr. Tia Schultz, an associate professor in the Special Education Department at the UW-W, and they have four kids. Greg is the Vice Chair of the city Board of Zoning Appeals, and also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Whitewater Grocery Co. He indicated that he would plan to run in the April 6, 2021 Common Council election.
City Manager Cameron Clapper announced that Officer Shane Brandl, who has been serving as the School Resource Officer, has been promoted to Detective Lieutenant. He also reported that a new online form is available for citizens to express an interest in serving on boards and commissions. The form may be submitted at any time, regardless of whether there is an open position on a particular body.
Lisa Dawsey Smith, President of the Downtown Whitewater Board, spoke of the COVID-19 precautions that are in effect at the City Market. This year’s market is not considered a social event; there is no music and no food trucks are anticipated for the remainder of the season. Ms. Dawsey Smith encouraged citizens to support the farmers and other vendors, most of whom come from a 15-20 mile radius. Turnout this year has averaged only about 25% of that of previous years.
Board member Kathleen Fleming and Kellie Carpenter, Executive Director, of Discover Whitewater, gave the 2019 tourism report. An upcoming highlight is that Whitewater will be the first stop on the Mammoth 40 Hike Challenge on the Ice Age Trail.
UW-W Interim Chancellor Greg Cook reported on recent efforts to mandate student compliance with infection control practices in the midst of rapidly rising COVID-19 positivity. He indicated that the university now has the ability to discipline students for off-campus behavior, in particular for substantiated violations of the COVID-19. Printed below in italics is a portion of the communication that Dr. Cook sent to the campus community on September 14.
“At a special meeting last Wednesday night, I made an impassioned plea to the Whitewater Common Council regarding an ordinance to limit large scale gatherings. If we don’t change the course of this virus now, we will join other campuses in moving to remote delivery, maybe for two weeks, maybe for the remainder of the semester. This isn’t something any of us wants to do, but it may be required. We’ve said all along your health and safety is our main concern. Nothing has changed in that regard, and we will continue to put your health and safety first.
The COVID-19 virus has the immediate potential to impair our ability to fulfill our normal teaching mission. Failure to follow safety precautions impairs our ability to continue.Failure to wear a mask, observe social distancing, or take other suggested precautions will therefore be investigated aggressively and may lead to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. This applies to student activity on campus, and it also applies off campus at any location when the student is expected to return to campus or participate in university events of any type. My official notice to you about this policy is attached to this email.“
Therefore, please be aware that the university will invoke state law and UW System policy UWS 17.08(2) which gives the Dean of Students Office the authority to discipline students when their behavior both on and off campus:
presents or may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of themselves or others, or
seriously impairs the university’s ability to fulfill its teaching, research, or public service missions.
The COVID-19 virus has the immediate potential to impair our ability to fulfill our normal teaching mission. Failure to follow safety precautions impairs our ability to continue.Failure to wear a mask, observe social distancing, or take other suggested precautions will therefore be investigated aggressively and may lead to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. This applies to student activity on campus, and it also applies off campus at any location when the student is expected to return to campus or participate in university events of any type. My official notice to you about this policy is attached to this email.
Dr. Cook indicated that city residents observing students disregarding the safety precautions are encouraged to report the concern with the use of this form. Reports could also be called to the COVID-19 Hotline at 262-472-1362.
Cook indicated that there has been a backlog on contact tracing for those with positive tests, resulting in the designation of some University personnel to assist the county with this responsibility. Dr. Cook acknowledged having been disappointed with the Council’s decision at the special meeting on September 9 to not adopt an ordinance limiting the size of gatherings off-campus. After favorable comment about an ordinance from two citizens, including Will Hintz, Intergovernmental Affairs Director for Whitewater Student Government, and considerable Council discussion, there still was insufficient support informally indicated by Council members to warrant another attempt to develop an ordinance.
An article by Jonah Beleckis in The Gazette titled, “Reversing course, UW-W says it will punish students for off-campus actions,” provides further details.
Ilana Margarite Lathrop, 80, of Palmyra passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at Lake Country Landing in Oconomowoc.
Ilana was born on April 10, 1940 to Clarence and Alice Walz at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ilana graduated from Waukesha High School and met her husband, Alfred (Ike) Lathrop, shortly thereafter. They were married for over 60 years and had three children together.
Ilana went back to school (WITC, Waukesha WI) when she was 40 and received her Accounting Associates Degree. She started her own Accounting and Tax Preparation practice in Palmyra, called L&L Accounting, Inc. She retired her practice (for the most part) around 2000. Ilana and Alfred moved to their retirement home in Mercer, Wisconsin. They spent about twelve years in the northeastern WI, and then returned to Whitewater to be closer to family and friends.
Ilana and Alfred enjoyed traveling across the United States and Canada and stopping at various sites to enjoying the adventure along the way. She also enjoyed crafting, making dolls, making jewelry, doing taxes even after retirement, and playing slots at any chance.
She is survived by her children, Robert Lathrop, Sharon (Matthew) Page, Christopher (Christina) Lathrop; grandchildren, Nathan Lathrop, Robbie Lathrop, Andrew Lathrop, Felicia Lathrop, Brianna “Ashton” Page, Erica Lathrop, and Rachael Page; two great-grandchildren, Evan Lathrop and Lexie Lathrop; brother, Clarence “Sonny” Walz; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Ilana is preceded in death by her husband, Alfred (Ike); siblings, Jeanette and Joyce; and niece, Charmaine Carr.
The family would like to give special thanks to Lake Country Health Services in Oconomowoc and Allay Home & Hospice in Brookfield for the exceptional care they provided to their mom.
Funeral services will take place on at noon on Friday, September 18, 2020 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190. A visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until the time of services.
