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ADRC Offering Welcome to Medicare Workshops

The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer Welcome to Medicare workshops on Thursday, February 23, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. This popular educational session will provide information about Medicare for individuals turning 65 years of age, those over 65 and planning to retire, or individuals with disabilities that have received Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months or have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

“It is vitally important that individuals eligible to receive Medicare are aware of the different parts of Medicare, including Part A and Part B, as well as the prescription drug coverage,” says Elder Benefit Specialist Julie Juranek. “Being knowledgeable about premiums and penalties for not having creditable prescription drug coverage will help people make sound choices when exploring
available plans.”

The Welcome to Medicare workshops will be held at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. RSVPs are highly recommended by calling (262) 741-3366.

For residents who cannot attend in February, Welcome to Medicare workshops will also be held on April 20, June 8, and August 17. More information can be found at www.co.walworth.wi.us/883/Medicare.

WUSD Bandorama Photo Gallery

Photos from February 11 WUSD “Bandorama” in WHS gym courtesy of Tom Ganser.

5th Grade
6th Grade
WHS Jazz Band
8th Grade
WMS Jazz
Combined WHS
8th Grade
8th Grade & WHS Bands
Combined 5th to 12th Grades

Obituary: Melvin R. Schrader, 95

Melvin R. Schrader, 95, of LaGrange, WI passed away on Tuesday, February 14 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI.

Melvin was born on September 2, 1927 in LaGrange, WI the son of Edwin and Alena (Knutson) Schrader. Melvin grew up on the family farm and after his schooling he would continue to work the family farm for a few years before purchasing his own farm. Melvin started as a dairy farmer with his father. He would continue to dairy farm after his father passed away and then later in his farming career, Melvin sold the cows and went to cash crop farming. He was a very hard worker and took pride in farming and providing for his family. Melvin was giving, friendly and just generally a happy man. On December 7, 1974 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, June Weigand at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Palmyra where Melvin was a lifelong member. Melvin and June would go on to enjoy many years together making wonderful memories. Melvin’s interests included good food, polka music, and he also enjoyed a nice Snickers bar. One of the highlights of Melvin’s later years was having the windmill on his farm restored. He was very pleased with the result and seeing the beauty restored to the windmill brought him a lot of joy. Melvin was a good man and he will be missed by those he leaves behind.

He is survived by: his wife of 48 years, June Schrader; his niece and nephews, Donna (Dennis) Scherer of Fort Atkinson, Glenn Jacobs of East Troy, John Jacobs of Janesville, and Steve Jacobs of Whitewater; his brother-in-law, Dave (Virginia) Weigand of Elkhorn; his brother-in-law John Weigand of Aldie, VA; and nieces, Jennifer Weigand of Fort Atkinson, and Sara (Jeff) Buising of Boca Raton, FL. Melvin is also survived by a number of other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ethel.

Per Melvin’s wishes, no formal services will be held.

Memorials in Melvin’s honor may be made to the St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Palmyra, WI.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

Whitewater Girl Scout Cookie Sale Begins 3/4

Whitewater Girl Scout Troop 7639

Girl Scout Cookie Season is about to begin! Whitewater Girl Scout Troop 7639 will be selling cookies from Saturday, March 4th through Sunday, April 9th.

Cookies are $5/box and all proceeds stay in our local, Madison area council. Our troop is using proceeds to go on our first camping trip, to fund two local service projects, as well as many other fun and educational outings throughout the year.

We have many cookie booths planned this year including:
3/4 Whitewater Walmart 10am-6pm
3/5 Whitewater Walmart 10am-6pm
3/10 Whitewater Walmart 4pm-7pm
3/11 Whitewater Walmart 10pm-6pm
3/12 Whitewater Walmart 10pm-6pm
3/13 Fort Festival 4pm-7pm
3/17 Whitewater Walmart 4pm-7pm
3/18 Whitewater Walmart 12pm-4pm
3/19 Fort Festival 2:30pm-6:30pm
3/21 Fort Festival 4pm-7pm
3/24 Whitewater Walmart 2pm-6pm
3/25 Fort Festival 2:30pm-6:30pm

For a complete list and updated booth info, please follow us on Facebook: Troop 7639 – Whitewater Girl Scouts

New this year is the “Raspberry Rally,” a sister cookie of the best selling Thin Mint. A crisp raspberry cookie coated in chocolate and only available online with direct ship. To place an online direct ship order benefitting our troop please click here:
https://app.abcsmartcookies.com/#/shopify-landing-troop/c169e54b-7f96-ed11-994a-000d3a8a55b5
(link will be live 3/4)

For those who wish to donate cookies to our Cookie Share Program, this year we are having each Girl Scout pick her own recipient. In the past 4 years we have been able to bring hundreds of boxes of Girl Scout cookies to local food pantries, first responders, teachers, and active duty military. We look forward to seeing who each of our Girl Scouts chooses to bless this year.

For more information, or to be connected with a Girl Scout for local delivery, please email Troop Co-leader Sarah Hoots hootyhoots@yahoo.com

Drug Drop Box is Available 24/7 at the Municipal Building

Do you have unused medication at home that you’re ready to dispose of? It’s never a good idea to flush medication because it can cause water quality issues that impact public health. But ignoring them can be just as dangerous if the medications fall into the wrong hands.

The safest alternative is using the drug disposal drop box located in the Fremont Street vestibule of the Whitewater Municipal Building at 312 W. Whitewater St. We ensure that the medication is collected and disposed of safely in an environmentally sound way.

We accept prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, liquids, patches, inhalers, sprays, nebulizer solution, vitamins, and pet medications. Items that are not accepted include sharps, oxygen tanks, nebulizers, batteries, radioactive cancer medications, IV bags, and mercury thermometers.

Editor’s note: The exterior door to the vestibule is only unlocked during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. If you wish to deposit drugs at other hours, go to the Whitewater Street vestibule and push the button on the intercom to reach the Dispatch personnel, who will grant you access to the other vestibule.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Ice harvested and stored c.1900

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Prior to electric refrigeration, ice was harvested in winter and stored in ice houses to sell to homes for warm weather ice box use. It was also stored in produce company buildings to keep farm produce cool in warm weather. Here, in this image from around 1900, we see ice being loaded into the warehouse of the Union Produce Company, a farmer’s warehouse that was located at the east end of Main Street.

Ice harvesting was done on Cravath Lake in February when the ice would have been the thickest. Men used large saws and tongs to cut and load the large ice blocks onto the horse-drawn carts. Then, as seen in the photo, the ice blocks were ramped into the warehouse using a pulley system. Men who worked primarily warm-weather jobs or in factories that had winter lay-offs could get much-needed employment during the winter by working for ice harvesting companies.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(4441PC Whitewater Historical Society)

UW-W New Head Football Coach Rindahl’s Top 3 Reasons to Attend Football Summer Camp

Players populate the football field at Perkins Stadium for speed and agility tests during preseason camp on Aug. 11, 2022. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater was thrilled to recently announce the promotion of defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Jace Rindahl to head coach of the storied Warhawk football program. Following an impressive playing career at UW-W, Rindahl had been an assistant coach with the football program for the past eight seasons. He knows the greatness of UW-W Football better than anyone.

Coach Rindahl also has extensive knowledge of the outstanding UW-W football summer camps. With five camps catering to different ages and positions, there is a camp for everyone! From players entering 5th grade to those beginning their senior year of high school, UW-W’s top-notch football coaching staff is ready to ensure that every camper has an experience they’ll never forget.

“UW-Whitewater’s football summer camps provide young players with an unmatched opportunity,” Coach Rindahl says. “It is the perfect experience for a young player looking to learn more about the game and improve their performance.”

Here are Coach Rindahl’s top 3 reasons to attend a UW-Whitewater football summer camp:

1) Skill Development: Whatever their position, players receive focused skill development, expanding and enhancing their skill-set.
2) First-class Collegiate Experience: From the best-in-class facilities to the dorms and dining, campers are exposed to a taste of college life.
3) Direct Contact with Coaches: Campers are coached by the UW-W football staff, so they learn from the best.

Registration is open now! For more information and to see a full list of football summer camps, visit https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/athletic/football.

Sheriff Offers Boater Safety Courses March 18 and May 13

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer two Boater Safety Education Courses this spring. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1989, is required to complete a Boater Safety Education Course to legally operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft (PWC) on Wisconsin waters. It is recommended that participants be at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly following completion of the class.

Boater Safety Education Courses:
Class #1
Mandatory Registration: February 28, at 6 p.m. @ Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Class: March 18, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. @ Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave, Janesville, WI 53545

Class #2
Mandatory Registration: April 25, at 6 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Class: May 13, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Edgerton Conservation Club, 900 Stoughton Rd, Edgerton, WI 53534

Registration is now open for Class #1. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat. Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the online enrollment form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with information on the mandatory in-person registration meeting. Registration for Class #2 will open the week of April 10, 2023.

Enroll At:
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/boater-education

A class fee of $10 per student will be collected at the in-person registration meeting. The student and a parent or legal guardian if the student is underage must attend the mandatory registration meeting in order for the student to take the course. Students will receive course materials at the in-person registration meeting. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.

Obituary: Delores “Dee” Marie Sheahan, 73

It is with great sadness that the family of Delores “Dee” Marie Sheahan, 73, Whitewater, announce her passing. She departed her loving family on February 11, 2023. She was born on March 27, 1949 to Roy and Ina (Larson) Sandvigen.  She spent her childhood in La Crosse, WI and would eventually make her home and raise her family in Wilton, WI. Shortly after her husband, David, passed on December 27, 2007, she relocated to Whitewater, WI to be closer to her family.

She dedicated her life to her family and her love was unconditional. Her family meant everything to her and she to them. She was caring, supportive, and loving. Her heart was compassionate, pure and forgiving. She loved unconditionally and was the best mother and grandmother anyone could wish for. The void she leaves behind is immense and she will be missed forever.

She is survived by her children, Molly (Nate) Parrish, Whitewater, and Bridget Sheahan, Elroy, WI; grandchildren, Stephanie, Kayla, Bryce, Hunter, Maci, and Kelseigh; great-grandchild, Ellie Mae; sister, Karen Ahmad, Henderson, NV; Son in law Don Sadewater, Belvidere, IL and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, LeRoy and Ronnie; step-daughter, Shelly Sadewater and nephew, Omar Ahmad.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.  Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.