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(City of Whitewater Press Release, September 10) – The City of Whitewater is excited to announce the grand opening of the Cravath Lakefront’s new Amphitheater on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.

The Amphitheater project began in mid-2019 and was made possible through the generous sponsorship by the Frawley Family, Whitewater Rotary and the Whitewater 4th of July Committee. The project was recently completed and will be a great venue for years of entertainment at Cravath Lakefront Park.

The amphitheater is equipped with a roof, electricity, additional electrical outlets, sound system and lighting. New sod and landscaping was also planted to put the finishing touches to the new addition to the park. Plaques with the names of those involved in sponsoring the amphitheater are displayed in front.

The grand opening celebration will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a live performance by the NEW PIANO GUYS, Wisconsin’s own dueling piano entertainment. Learn more about these performers at www.newpianoguys.com.

Due to COVID-19 and the state mask order, safety precautions have been prepared to ensure citizens feel safe if they choose to attend. Picnic tables and lawn seating will be spaced out to accommodate social distancing guidelines for this event. There will be approximately 16 picnic tables provided, but attendees are also encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair. Families are encouraged to stay together and keep a six-foot distance from other families, as designated by squares painted on the grass. Although the program is outside, masks are strongly encouraged.

In addition, one Family Fun Night will be held at the amphitheater on Thursday, September 23, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. to allow for a safe family event to end the summer. Families are invited to see David Stokes, Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education Teacher of the Year and an “Aldo Leopold” award winner. David uses
live creatures and animal artifacts, songs and short stories to make learning fun. This event will also be social distanced for a safe viewing for families who feel comfortable attending.

If you have any questions about the amphitheater or the events, contact Eric Boettcher, Parks and Recreation Director at EBoettcher@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-473-0122.

View images and learn more about the amphitheater at www.whitewater-wi.gov/438/Parks-Recreation.

City of Whitewater Plan Commission – Mon. @ 6:00 p.m.
Includes work session on new sign ordinance
More information
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/758038309
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (571) 317-3112
Access Code: 758-038-309

Whitewater Unified School District School Board Special Meeting – Monday; Closed session @ 6:30 p.m.; Open session @ 7:00 p.m.
Closed session pertains to specific student concerns
Open session includes instructional plans beginning 9/28
More information – click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner
Closed session access:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82572597724?pwd=bVBVWXZNOHRQYjVNMWF3SFA0a0Jxdz09
– Passcode: 990237
Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 825 7259 7724
– Passcode: 990237
Open session access: (7:00 p.m.)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82311903275?pwd=dnBhMGdSKzRJU0NYNEswWk5ydDArZz09
– Passcode: 849620
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 823 1190 3275
– Passcode: 849620

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tues. @ 6:30 p.m.
Includes Councilmember Aldermanic District 5 applications and possible swearing in of new member; Authorizing moving of polling location for November 3 election from University Center to Kachel Field House; City’s actions regarding prevention of COVID-19 infections
More information
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/95166380642?pwd=ZDhMQkFteUpJZm55bDRLRG1lQWlmUT09
Passcode: 141226#
Or iPhone one‐tap :
US: +13126266799, 141226#
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 951 6638 0642
Passcode: 141226#

WHITEWATER (Discover Whitewater submission) – The new route for the Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon and 5K is officially USA Track and Field (USATF) certified. 

The USATF only certifies courses that meet certain requirements, such as having the correct distanced route. Runners need to know that the race they are running is the exact distance of a half marathon or 5k. Most runners would like to compare race times on different courses, which can only be achieved if they are certified to be the same distance. When a runner’s race time is accepted as a record, it can allow him or her to prequalify in much larger races.  

“The DWS is incredibly excited to once again be both USATF and CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) certified,” said DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight. “What is most important to the entire DWS team is to put on a quality race that exceeds all safety expectations.” 

Just like the DWS, the USATF strives for competitive excellence. This is why the DWS is not only USATF certified but also certified by the CARA. CARA abides by the Best Practices Guidelines, which ensures that all certified races have medical staff on hand, insurance coverage, and several other safety measures.  

Safety is incredibly important to the entire Discover Whitewater Series team. That’s why we’ve put in place many new safety measures, such as social distancing guidelines and a special race start that allows for people to stay separated. Read more about our safety changes at https://runwhitewater.com/StillRunning.  

CARA certification ensures a quality race. From requiring a back-up timing system to ensuring that course marshals will be present on the course, the DWS follows all of the Best Practices Guidelines. Combined with the DWS’ USATF certification, this year’s event will be both safe and competitive.  

To learn more, check out the CARA Best Practice Guidelines at https://cararuns.org/. Visit the USTAF’s website at https://www.usatf.org/.  

About the DWS 

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 five local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), Whitewater Unified School District and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. 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. 

Winchester TrueValue was happy to donate cases of hand-sanitizer, KN-95 masks and hand soaps to the Whitewater Unified School District on Tuesday. The donation was part of Education Heroes Safety Campaign sponsored by TrueValue Foundation.

By Lisa Dawsey Smith
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner.com

At its regular meeting on September 1 the Common Council supported drafting of an ordinance that would temporarily limit the size of gatherings due to the pandemic, but the members at a special meeting on September 9 indicated they would decline to adopt the proposed ordinance by a straw poll of 5-1. The Aldermanic District 5 seat is currently open, with McKinley Palmer having resigned effective September 1 due to moving out of the district. Lynn Binnie was the only member who expressed support for the ordinance, which would have limited essentially social outside gatherings to no more than 25 non-household members, and inside gatherings to 10 non-household persons. Additionally there was a provision that would limit capacity of bars to 50% of their legal limit, and restaurants to 75%. As part of the introduction to the proposed ordinance, Binnie indicated that the Walworth County portion of the city had reached what he described as an alarming 24.9% fourteen day COVID-19 positivity rate. Acknowledging that the vast majority of the 105 positive tests during that period would have been for UW-W students, he expressed concern that this level of infection is very likely to start transmitting to “permanent” residents.

In the 2-3/4 hour meeting the Council heard varied comments ranging from support of the ordinance, support of the concept but with reservations about the proposed ordinance, and full disagreement with any effort to regulate gathering size.

Curt Patrick, co-owner/operator of Pumpers & Mitchell’s had sent a lengthy email to the members opposing in particular the provision that would have limited the capacity of bars. “You can’t tell college students they can’t party, you just can’t. They take it as a challenge…If you tell students of legal drinking age that they are not welcome in local taverns, they WILL do so elsewhere, and in large numbers,” Mr. Patrick stated in his email.

Several citizens, including at least two students, one of whom stated he was currently infected with COVID-19, spoke in general support of the ordinance, indicating that they were very disturbed by the large yard parties that they had observed since students returned to the university.

A number of commenters faulted UW-W for not having communicated effectively with students and landlords before move-in. While acknowledging that the university could have done more, Interim Chancellor Greg Cook spoke in favor of the ordinance. Near the end of the meeting Dr. Cook shared that UW-Madison had just announced that, as a result of their spiking positive tests, all classes were going to be held virtually for the next two weeks. “To be honest with you, we’re not far behind, and it’s going to have an impact on the city,” Cook stated. “…I actually fear it’s probably too late. We should have done this over a month ago.”

Ultimately the Council directed staff to meet as soon as possible with stakeholders, including UW-W officials and student representatives, restaurant and bar operators, and landlords in an attempt to reach consensus on any measures that could be taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Subscribers to The Gazette may also read an article by reporter Jonah Beleckis.

RIPON, WI (Ripon College Submission)– Lydia Wiley Deal class of 2021 from Whitewater, Wisconsin was given the William Harley Barber Award (Physics) during the Spring 2020 Awards Convocation celebration. Wiley Deal is majoring in Music and Physics. The parents of Wiley Deal are Don and Cheryl Deal of Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Ripon College, founded in 1851, is Wisconsin’s best-value private college and a national leader in liberal arts education, devoted to ensuring every student realizes their unique potential. Ninety-six percent of alumni are employed, in graduate school or student-teaching within six months. In recognition of its academic excellence, the college was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1953, placing it among a select group of the nation’s top colleges. Ripon has the highest earning graduates in Wisconsin, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Ripon ranks first in Wisconsin and third in the Midwest on Washington Monthly’s list of “Best Bang for the Buck” colleges. The College has the highest minority graduation rate in the nation. Ripon is consistently recognized as a “Best Value” and “Best 383 College” by The Princeton Review and a Top Tier National Liberal Arts College by U.S. News & World Report. For more information about Ripon College, visit ripon.edu.

(Fort Community Credit Union Submission) Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is proud to announce the celebration of the credit union’s 80th anniversary. FCCU began growing roots in Southeastern Wisconsin in 1940 when employees of Moe Light, in Fort Atkinson, pooled their paychecks together to begin the credit union. In 1980, the name Fort Community Credit Union was adopted and became community chartered. Over the years FCCU has expanded their services to members living or working in Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth and Waukesha counties.  With locations in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Watertown and Whitewater, FCCU serves over 22,000 members and currently holds $298 million in assets.

“Over the last 80 years, we’ve changed our name, expanded our branches, and diversified our services, but our commitment to our members and the communities we serve has never changed,” said Sue Johnson, President and CEO of FCCU. “While we’re excited to celebrate our history, the growth of our organization, and the ongoing impact we have on our communities, this celebration is really about our members.  Recognition of this milestone goes out to them.”

About FCCU: Established in 1940, Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone living or working in Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth or Waukesha counties. Fort Community holds $298 million in assets and has more than 22,000 members. For more information about FCCU and the products and services they offer, visit fortcommunity.com or call (920) 563-7305.