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Job Services Help Desk at the Library

Amanda Abbott, of the Walworth County Job Center, said, “Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA), we can assist eligible individuals in career planning, paying for school, and arranging apprenticeships and work experiences. Even more so, we have funding for supportive services to assist in breaking down the barriers that have kept individuals from getting the job or education that they desire. Most people do not know that these services are available in Walworth County, and we really want to spread the word. In addition, most people don’t know about the assistance available to them just by coming into the Job Center. That being said, we are hoping that in collaboration with local libraries, we can spread the word.”

UW-W shocks No. 1 Mary Hardin-Baylor with late touchdown 

Editor’s note: The following is from texasfootball.com. Regular sports readers may be expecting the usual timely report from Chris Lindeke, who served for a number of years as Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding, UW-W. Lindeke recently accepted a position with another organization. He will be missed. The Banner does not know whether another individual is being sought for this position.

Evan Lewandowski led No. 6 UW-Whitewater to a thrilling 28-24 win over No. 1 Mary Hardin-Baylor, who received stellar play from quarterback Kyle King in the loss.

The Game of the Week lived up to expectations. Well, sort of – Mary Hardin-Baylor was expected to win, but it was Wisconsin-Whitewater’s touchdown with 19 seconds left that sent the Warhawks to a 28-24 win.

The victory is the 43rd consecutive win at Perkins Stadium for UW-Whitewater, and the 14,213 fans in attendance helped spur their team to victory. UMHB is now 2-7 all-time against the Warhawks and has never won two consecutive games in the series.

Neither team led by more than four points in a game that featured five lead changes, while both teams were close in rushing yards, with the Warhawks owning a slight edge (410-336) in total yards.

So, how did UW-Whitewater pull off the upset? Let’s dig into that.

The big Lewandowski

In the GOTW preview, I said the UMHB defense was the X-factor. I was wrong again. The X-factor on Saturday was UW-Whitewater quarterback Evan Lewandowski. The senior from Buffalo Grove, Ill., completed 28 of 35 pass attempts (80 percent) for 301 yards and three touchdowns.

Lewandowski’s first incompletion in the game happened with 7:30 left in the third quarter, and at least three of his seven incompletions were catchable passes dropped by the wide receivers.

The Cru stubbornly and, at times, frustratingly played a two-deep zone for the majority of the game. However, when UMHB started mixing in some man coverage from a two-deep look, Lewandowski scrambled and found an open receiver. 

The UMHB defense had no answer for Lewandowski today, and to be honest, I don’t know if anyone would’ve had a response with how brilliantly he played.

When UMHB showed some chippiness in the second half, it felt more like a team flailing after being hit in the mouth. It’s possible the Cru “ate the cheese” after last week with so many pundits declaring them the national champion.

This loss may provide the motivation the Cru needs to play with a chip on their shoulders and lead to another national title run, but only time will tell. UMHB will be ready for Southwestern next weekend and will likely cruise to a win, but what happens against HSU in two weeks? Will that chip remain throughout the rest of the regular season and the playoffs? Again, only time will tell……

Game Ball: UW-Whitewater quarterback Evan Lewandowski

There are other candidates for this honor, including Tyler Holte, who had ten receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns, and Tommy Coates, who had a breakout performance in a needed win for the Warhawks. But what Lewandowski did against the reigning national champions in the face of pressure earns him the game ball.

https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2022/09/10/3-things-umhb-at-uw-whitewater?ref=article_preview_img

Baha’is and Friends Artist Gathering in Whitewater Sept. 17

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Suzanne Popke.

Art, crafts, music, poetry, and more – everyone is welcome to this open house gathering to meet the artists at the Baha’is and Friends Artist Gathering in Whitewater Sept. 17.

Date: Saturday, Sept. 17, 1 PM thru 5 PM   (Drop in any time.)

Place: Historic Nelson Salisbury House at 404 W. North St., Whitewater, WI

(Public parking in the city lot across the street from house and next to the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center)


Artists:

Robert Malouf– Wisconsin published poet

Manijeh Khorshidi– visual artist/writer from Iran

Tom Wilbur– 25 yrs. of stained glass

Sue Wilbur– fabric artist from Evansville, WI


Joah Greengus– keyboard musician/composer from Madison, WI

Deborah Griffin– musician from Madison, WI

Loralee Uhlenhake– musician and artist from New Berlin, WI

Phyllis Peterson– poet/speaker from Illinois and the world

Connor McAllister– digital game music composer from Mlwk

Caroline Juzenas– poet/orator from Racine, WI

Ellen Wallen– visual/fabric artist from the Midwest

Uda Miller– abstract artist from Germany and Georgia, USA

(Host) Suzanne Popke– writer/artist from Whitewater, WI

For additional info contact S. Popke at intsim@idcnet.com

September is National Preparedness Month

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management.

September is National Preparedness Month one of FEMA’s premier initiatives in setting the standard of what it really means to be prepared.

The 2022 theme is A Lasting Legacy:  The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.

National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. 

In 2021, FEMA’s Ready Campaign and the Ad Council broke ground by producing the first-ever national preparedness campaign specifically targeting the Latino community for National Preparedness Month. Released during Hispanic Heritage month, the advertisements centered around the Latino community’s commitment to personal planning for occasions and family milestones as a bridge to also planning for disasters.

This one-of-a-kind campaign is committed to putting people first and reaching communities where they are. To continue these efforts, this year’s National Preparedness Month campaign will feature a call to action for the Black and African American communities.

Disasters can happen anywhere, any time. That’s why it’s important you’re prepared. Do you have a plan for yourself, your pets, and your family? Consider the specific needs you might have in an emergency. Ready.gov/plan

Follow along as we provide our best advice about the ways you and your family can stay safe and be prepared for disasters!
More: http://ready.gov/september #LastingLegacy

This month, we challenge you and your loved ones to serve as preparedness champions. You can do this by taking three simple actions and encouraging your loved ones to do the same. 

  • First, sit down with your family and write an emergency plan unique to your needs. Visit Ready.gov/plan for more information.
  • Second, download the FEMA App for a suite of resources you may need before, during, and after disasters. The free app is available for iOS or Android devices.
  • Third, build an emergency supplies kit – An emergency supplies kit should contain enough non-perishable food and bottled water (one gallon per person per day) to last three to seven days. Kits also should include copies of insurance papers and

identification, a first aid kit, weather radio and batteries, prescription medicine, bedding, weather-appropriate clothing, hygiene items, and cash.

Kids

  • Children are the future & an important part of building a national culture of preparedness. Teach your kids how to #BeReady this hurricane season! Find fun activities & safety tips: ready.gov/kids
  • Build a #LastingLegacy: Prepare your kids for disasters and emergencies. Take time to make a plan and have conversations about preparedness. Help them know how to stay safe and navigate potentially scary situations. Ready.gov/kids #NPM2022
  • Disasters can leave children and teens feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Their responses can be quite varied. It’s important to not only recognize these reactions, but also help children cope with their emotions. #NPM2022 https://www.ready.gov/helping-children-cope

Pets

Your pets are also part of your legacy! Add these items in your emergency bag in case you need to evacuate with your four-legged buddies:

  • A selfie with them in case you get separated.
  • Medicine & grooming items.
  • Collar with an ID & a leash.

For more information on National Preparedness Month visit: National Preparedness Month | Ready.gov

W3 Supports Question, Persuade and Refer Training

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3.)

Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3) is supporting Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training for groups and organizations in the Whitewater community in partnership with Walworth County Health and Human Services (HHS). Recently, W3 Board members received QPR training from two instructors from HHS to gain a deeper understanding of what QPR is and what the training session provides. W3 Board President, Lorelei Bowen, said “QPR training provided tools to effectively communicate with a person contemplating suicide or experiencing a crisis. I think the best part of the program is that it reminds you that ordinary people are capable of providing hope and help to those around them. It is a small way we can look out for each other.”

Question, Persuade, and Refer are the 3 steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper you will learn to: recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope, and know how to get help and save a life. To learn more about QPR visit their website: https://qprinstitute.com/

This collaboration stemmed from a subgroup of W3, The Healthy Minds workgroup. The Healthy Minds workgroup is a group of mental health advocates in the Whitewater community that work to end stigma around mental health and increase awareness on the importance of mental health and well-being. One of the goals of the Healthy Minds workgroup was to establish regular suicide prevention training opportunities.

Walworth County HHS will be providing FREE QPR training to anyone in the county. W3 can provide financial assistance to groups or organizations in the Whitewater area to incentivize participation including food, childcare, transportation, or assistance with other program costs. To learn more about hosting QPR training in Whitewater and W3’s support visit our website: https://www.w3wellness.org/qpr-training or email whitewaterwellness@gmail.com.

Whitewater Student Named to SNHU Summer President’s List

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Southern New Hampshire University.

It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Summer 2022 President’s List:

Michelle Czlapinski of Whitewater

Holly Schwaller of Whitewater

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with an 89-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 165,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as the “Most Innovative” regional university by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.

Starin Park Water Tower Condition to be Assessed: Repair vs. Demolish

Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from the city of Whitewater.

On Monday, August 29th, the City of Whitewater sent a Request for
Proposal (RFP) to four structural engineering firms on behalf of the city’s Starin Park Water Tower. The water
tower sits atop a hill in Whitewater’s Starin Park, on the northern edge of the city, and has served Whitewater
for 133 years. It was constructed with locally quarried limestone and has been a Local Landmark, protected by
City ordinance, since 2015.

City Public Works Director, Brad Marquardt, requested proposals to:

  1. assess the tower’s current structural viability to determine if it can be repaired or must be
    demolished;
  2. provide potential solutions for repairing the tower, or for demolishing the tower, if necessary;
  3. provide cost estimates for all potential solutions; and
  4. identify public safety measures to implement while awaiting restoration or demolition and removal, if
    necessary.

    Proposals, including costs, are due to the City on September 23rd, with a completed report due to the City by
    December 2, 2022. Marquardt told the Landmarks Commission at its meeting September 1st, that funding for
    these professional services is available in the Water Utility’s current operating budget. He expects to
    recommend a successful proposal to the Common Council at its meeting on October 18th, for approval.

    The Starin Park water tower has provided water for city residents since its construction in 1889. The City has
    been planning to stop using this tower around the end of this year, once the new blue water tower on the far
    southwest side of Whitewater is successfully operational and supplying water to meet the City’s needs.
    Concern about the tower’s physical condition arose from a report by Cornerstone Restoration, a masonry
    firm in Sullivan, Wisconsin, to the Common Council on August 2nd. Cornerstone reported the tower’s limestone
    and mortar have failed sufficiently, and in their opinion, would require an estimated one million dollars of
    masonry restoration in order to keep the tower standing. The firm indicated concern that the tower could fall at
    any time without restoration. Approximately $200,000 would be needed to take down the tower and remove it,
    per Cornerstone.

    According to the Architectural & Historical Survey of Whitewater (Cartwright, 2008; pg. 50), “The best example
    of stone construction in the city is the water tower in Starin Park, built in 1889. The regularly coursed rusticated
    limestone walls are laid up in stepped sections that expand from larger to smaller as the structure rises. The
    walls are accented with belt courses and round arches. Also historically significant, the water tower is
    distinctive for its stone construction and potentially eligible for the National Register.”

    The Whitewater Landmarks Commission, appointed by the city’s Common Council and informed by Municipal
    Code Chapter 17, was directed by the Common Council at its August 2nd meeting to research restoration costs
    and potential funding sources to rehabilitate the tower. In response, the Commission asked the Council to first
    secure professional structural analysis to determine if the water tower can be saved. Members of the
    Commission include Ben Adamitis, Patricia Blackmer, Karen Coburn, Kori Oberle, and Dan Richardson. City
    Council representative is Lukas Schreiber and City staff representative is Olivia Pratt. Currently there is one
    vacant citizen member position.

    For more information, contact Brad Marquardt, Public Works Director, City of Whitewater, 312 W. Whitewater
    Street, 262-473-0139, bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov or Patricia Blackmer, Whitewater Landmarks
    Commission Chair, 262-458-2178, blackmerpa@aol.com.

Obituary: Shirley Ann Stone Hapka, 82

WHITEWATER — Shirley Ann Stone Hapka entered into eternal life on Wednesday, September 6, at her home, where she had resided since 1962.

Shirley was born in Whitewater on February 27, 1940 to Ralph and Eleanor (Jacobs) Stone. She graduated from what is now the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. She went on to earn her master’s degree in Education in 1988.

Shirley married John D. Hapka on July 28, 1962, and moved to their home on Jefferson Street where she lived until her death.

Shirley proudly worked at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library for 30 years, retiring at the age of 80. Shirley served as a local history expert, proudly provided books for the homebound, and worked with volunteers and played a critical role in the library’s used book sales. Prior to her library job, Shirley also worked for the City of Whitewater as an assistant to Wava Jean Nelson, City Clerk. Before joining the city, Shirley worked as a bookkeeper at Winchester True Value Hardware on Main Street.

Faith and community service were extremely important to Shirley. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, as well as a member of the Washington School Parents and Teachers organization when her children attended school there. Shirley was also a member of the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library’s book club.

Shirley’s passion was her family. She was a very proud grandma of Melody Brady Martin and Ian Jon Brady, and enthusiastically attended all their musical and sporting events with their grandpa, John. Her happiest moments were when she was interacting with her two great-grandchildren, Maxwell and Amelia Martin.

She is survived by her two children, Kathy Brady and Thomas Hapka, both of Whitewater; son-in-law, Paul Brady of Fort Atkinson; granddaughter, Melody Brady Martin, and her husband, Aaron, and their children, Maxwell and Amelia, of Fort Atkinson; grandson, Ian Brady of Oshkosh; and her sisters, Sharon Hapka of Milwaukee and Sharlene Chapman of Brookfield. She also is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Shirley also is survived by her cherished cats, Bootsie and Packer, as well as her grand-dog, Winston.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws Angeline and Jon Hapka, husband John; and her beloved brothers-in-law Julius, Robert, Daniel, and Anthony Hapka and George Chapman. Shirley was also preceded in death by generations of beloved cats, including Kitter, Fluffy, Jac, Henrietta, Garf, Fuzzy, Trouble, Roserock, Felix, Vinnie, Smokie, Buddy, Spatz, Rose Rock, and Mama.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to LifeBeyondBrainInjury.org, a fund established for Shirley’s son, Thomas, a brain injury survivor.

A visitation will be held at St. Patrick’s Church on Friday, September 23 from 9:30 – 11 a.m., with a funeral mass to immediately follow.

John 14:1-3

“Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you myself, so that you will be where I am.”