First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater seeks Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator, 20 hours/week, to help develop and implement a new program to support and encourage youth and families in Whitewater and the surrounding area. The successful applicant will have experience working with youth, relationship and community building skills, be capable of working in groups and independently, and have a heart for sharing God’s love. Submit a cover letter, resume, references and “FELC Job Application” form electronically on the main page of our website FirstEnglishLutheranChurch.360unite.com/home
Joe Larson, Southern Region Director, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Division of Public Health, presents a certificate of designation to Erica Bergstrom, Public Health Officer, Walworth County Health & Human Services, during the January 18, 2023 meeting of the Walworth County Health & Human Services Board
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services.
Earns Wisconsin’s Most Advanced Level of Health-Department Certification
The Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services (WCDHHS) has been certified as a Level III Health Department by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The DHS 140 Certificate of Designation was formally presented by DHS staff at the January 18, 2023, Walworth County Health and Human Services Board meeting.
“This designation recognizes the progress and achievement our health department has made in the last five years,” says Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom. “The designation, and state report, also clearly recognize the systematic effectiveness that Walworth County employs by being a successful and strong combined health and human services department.”
In Wisconsin, there are three levels of health department certification: Level I is the most basic; Level III is the most advanced. Historically, Walworth County has been a Level II Health Department. The County became eligible for consideration as a Level III Health Department in 2019 following revisions to the DHS Administrative Rule. To receive the designation, Walworth County Public Health underwent a state audit process called a 140-Review in August 2022. This process reviews the services of a local health department and provides the department with the opportunity to change its health department designation level. The change in level will not impact existing services.
The audit was conducted by the Wisconsin DHS Division of Public Health staff. In its report, DHS lauded WCDHHS’ improved community health planning process, its ability to assist a broad range of Walworth County residents through coordinated services, its success in improving public health services through a transition to a Public Health 3.0 model, and its strong relationships with community partners.
In her letter to Health and Human Services Board Chair Ken Monroe, State Health Officer and Administrator Paula Tran stated, “The Department of Health Services congratulates the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services for demonstrating the infrastructure and program capacity to be certified as a Level III Health Department.”
“Our Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom has worked a long time to have the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services certified as a Level III Health Department,” says County Board Supervisor Ken Monroe. “As Chairperson of the Health and Human Services Board, I would like to congratulate Ms. Bergstrom and her staff.”
Group Education for Pregnant and New Moms under the Age of 21
(ELKHORN, WI): Walworth County Health & Human Services, in collaboration with Tree House Child and Family Center, will be hosting Healthy Mom, Happy Baby classes in 2023. The Healthy Mom, Happy Baby group is open to pregnant women and new moms under the age of 21 and their support person(s). The group meets weekly for six consecutive weeks.
The group is designed to help young parents learn more about raising a child and to increase their knowledge about safety interventions, community resources, and building a support network with other young parents. In addition, participants will learn about the basics of parenthood including stress management, car seats, infant development, and breastfeeding. Free snacks, baby items, and gas cards are provided to participants at each session. Transportation can be made available to those who need assistance and school credit may be available to students who participate.
There will be two sessions held in 2023. The first session will run every Wednesday from February 8, 2023, to March 15, 2023, from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. The second session will run every Wednesday from May 3, 2023, to June 7, 2023, from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. All classes are held at Walworth County Health & Human Services, 1910 County Rd. NN, Elkhorn, WI 53121.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. We appreciate having permission to use the image on the homepage by Wokandapix from Pixabay.
Itty Bitty Art Show Call for Artists
Adults and teens are invited to create a miniature artwork for the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library’s Itty Bitty Art Show, which will be on display during the month of March.
Community members may sign up to participate by visiting the library’s website at whitewaterlibrary.org and clicking on “Events–Registration Forms.” Participants will then pick up a small canvas at the library starting January 30, create a miniature artwork using any medium and methods desired, and drop off the finished artwork at the library by February 24. The artworks will be hung in the library’s lobby display case for the month of March. There is no cost to participate.
You may also email sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-458-2782 to register, or with any questions.
Thomas L Hoffman, 68, born 9/16/54 has passed unexpectedly 1/20/23 at home.
Tom was a sweet caring man with a smile for all, a big teddy as we say.
He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1972, & later graduated from MATC in computer technology; he worked for Randix and Nasco.
In 1990 he married the love of his life Connie (Jackson) Hoffman, enjoying 20 happy years together before she passed in 2010.
He is survived by his devoted sister Debra and brother Gary and his partner Barb all of Whitewater, many cousins, aunt, nieces & nephews, and Mother-in-Law Shirley Jackson, special friend Sarah, last but not least his beloved beagle Nikki.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Dorothy Hoffman, grandparents Emil & Lena Hoffman & Clarence & Maise Olson.
Arrangements by Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater. Visitation Friday, January 27, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., followed with 2 p.m. service. Please join the family at Jessica’s Restaurant downtown Whitewater at 3 p.m.
Private burial Monday.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Fort HealthCare.
Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the organization’s board of directors: Carla Haubenschild, CLU, and Christi Ott.
Carla Haubenschild earned her bachelor’s degree in management from UW-Whitewater and her CLU and CLTC finance-based designations from the American College. Her background is in finance, having owned a financial planning practice with Northwestern Mutual for the last 14 years, and she has held various leadership positions within the company. Carla leads with an emphasis on relationship-building, direct communication, and authenticity. She enjoys listening intently, working with her team to problem-solve, and creating strategic financial solutions for her clients. She has been involved with other organizations in the community, including Women Who Care and the Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson, where she has served as president and is currently a board member. Carla lives and works in Fort Atkinson, enjoys spending time with her husband Eric and their three children, riding her Peloton, and cares deeply about her community. She states, “As a community member, mom, and patient of Fort HealthCare, I am excited to learn more about our local healthcare system. I am hopeful that I will be able to use my professional expertise in finance, as well as board leadership experience, to contribute to board discussions and decisions. I think it will be an exciting time to be a part of this new chapter for Fort HealthCare and the communities it serves.”
Christi Ott earned her bachelor’s degree from Lewis University, Lockport, IL, and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She also served nine years as a Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS) Strategic Planning Advisory Council member. Christi’s career as a financial services executive spanned leadership of frontline client services and various operations and technology teams. At Johnson Financial Group, she and her team led the implementation of the bank’s entrée into digital and mobile banking as well as an enterprise-wide CRM implementation and Enterprise Content Management Program covering all lines of business within the financial services entity. As a member of the Executive Team, Christi’s vision for technology coupled with a comprehensive Branch Optimization Strategy that positively impacts the client experience proved critical with the development of multiple long-term strategic plans ensuring the enterprise remained relevant in this highly competitive arena. Christi previously served on the Fort HealthCare Board from January 2000 to May 2005 and saw the completion of the most extensive capital campaign in its history. She also currently serves as a member of the Strategic Advisory Board for Athelo Health, Inc., which has developed the first biometric-anchored virtual coach for women with breast and gynecologic cancers. She enjoys visiting her daughter Kelly and her wife, Jessica, in Nashville. Chris states, “I recently retired and am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve again. The mission of Fort HealthCare to improve the health and well-being of our community definitely aligns with my personal goals, and I am excited to work with the other board members to make this community the healthiest in Wisconsin.”
Michael Anderson, M.D., Fort HealthCare President & CEO, welcomes the new members to the board of directors. Board members are chosen based on their professional skills and ability to represent the healthcare needs of the various communities within the Fort HealthCare primary service area. “We are excited for Haubenschild and Ott to join our board of directors as they are already deeply vested in our community. They both have impressive backgrounds in finance, and I am certain that they will help our organization and community. I look forward to working with them and the rest of the Fort HealthCare board as we continue to serve our community by providing the highest quality in healthcare,” said Anderson.
In addition to Haubenschild and Ott, other Fort HealthCare board members are community representatives James Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. – Chair, Fort Atkinson; Tom Vinz – Secretary, Lake Mills; Roy Budlong – Vice Chair and Treasurer, Fort Atkinson; Richard Telfer, Ph.D., Whitewater; Christopher Martin; Fort Atkinson, and providers Bill Kontny, M.D., Paul Schuppner, D.O., Nate Fullerton, M.D., Stephanie Nottestad, M.D., and Mary Beck Metzger, DNP.
A divorced couple (Julia Roberts and George Clooney) reunite and travel to Bali to stop their daughter from making the same mistake they think they made 25 years ago.
RIVER FALLS, Wis. (January 20, 2023) – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls fall semester Dean’s List honoring 1,593 students has been released by Registrar Kelly Browning.
To be named to the Dean’s List, a full-time undergraduate must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0, or midway between an “A” and “B” average.
About UW-River Falls:
UWRF is a student-centered institution that provides excellent accessible academic programs serving the needs of our region, the state and beyond.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from Pamela Sonmor-Wintz.
Brooke Mason, Aidyn Amundson, Mayte Navejas, and Andrea Alcala have been chosen to attend Badger Girls State in 2023! Badger Girls State is a program designed to develop leadership skills in high school students and train future stateswomen in the science of government. It will be held on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus from June 18-23. Participants are chosen for their interest in American Government and their outstanding qualities of leadership, character, cooperativeness, dependability, and participation in extracurricular activities. Thank you to the Whitewater American Legion for sponsoring these four delegates this year!
MENOMONIE, Wis. (January 19, 2023) – The following students from the area have been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester.
The award is presented to students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above.
UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, has 49 undergraduate majors and 23 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate above 98% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001.
UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.
Cassandra Hoxie, Junior, BS computer and electrical engineering Luke Rule, Senior, BS digital marketing technology Gabe Schemmel, Junior, BS digital marketing technology
