It’s time for #FlashbackFriday (on a Thursday) with the Whitewater Historical Society. As is our usual tradition, we feature Thanksgiving Greetings to all via one of our early 20th century post cards, the precursor to the greeting cards sent today. A fat turkey was a symbol of Thanksgiving during the early 20th century as it is today. We hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Editor’s note: We are grateful for you, our reader, and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. We’d also like to express our appreciation to the many individuals and organizations that provide event announcements, Readers Share submissions, obituaries, etc. for us to share with the greater Whitewater community.
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year. Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and around the same part of the year in other places. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.
Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among most religions after harvests and at other times of the year. The Thanksgiving holiday’s history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.
[The above information is from Wikipedia.]
The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Sue Junky from Pixabay.
The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will deliver sand on Monday, December 2, 2024.
Residents who wish to receive a quantity of sand for placement on public sidewalks, during the winter months, are asked to have a sturdy container at the curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2. City officials stress that a cardboard box is not considered a sturdy container.
If there is a snowstorm or some other unpredictable occurrence that prevents delivery that week, the sand will be delivered as soon as weather permits.
As a reminder, the owner, occupant, and person in charge of any building or lot fronting upon or adjoining any sidewalk shall remove all snow and ice from the sidewalk no later than twenty-four hours after a snow or ice event. When any ice is so formed on any sidewalk that it cannot be removed, then the responsible party shall keep the same sprinkled with salt or sand.
For additional questions or concerns contact the Streets Department at (262) 473-0560. Brian Neumeister Superintendent – Streets/Parks/Stormwater Utility
Whitewater, Wis. 20 de noviembre de 2024 – El Departamento de Obras Públicas de la ciudad de Whitewater entregará arena el lunes 2 de diciembre de 2024.
Los residentes que deseen recibir una cantidad de arena para colocar en las aceras públicas, durante los meses de invierno, deben tener un contenedor resistente en la acera antes de las 7:00 a.m. del lunes 2 de diciembre. Los funcionarios de la ciudad enfatizan que una caja de cartón no se considera un contenedor resistente.
Si hay una tormenta de nieve o algún otro suceso impredecible que impida la entrega esa semana, la arena se entregará tan pronto como el clima lo permita.
Como recordatorio, el propietario, ocupante y persona a cargo de cualquier edificio o lote frente o adyacente a cualquier acera deberá quitar toda la nieve y el hielo de la acera a más tardar veinticuatro horas después de un evento de nieve o hielo. Cuando se forme hielo en cualquier acera de tal manera que no pueda ser removido, entonces la parte responsable deberá mantenerlo rociado con sal o arena.
Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes adicionales, comuníquese con el Departamento de Calles al (262) 473-0560.
Brian Neumeister Superintendente – Calles/Parques/Servicios Públicos de Aguas Pluviales
Richard Allen Splitter, age 80, of Blue Eye, Missouri, passed away November 12, 2024. He entered this life on June 16, 1944, the son of Edward and Berniece (Craig) Splitter in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Richard proudly served our country in the United States Navy for two terms. During his time in the service, he was able to get his master’s degree in engineering from California State University of Long Beach. During his working years, Richard was an engineer for different aerospace companies. He retired to Blue Eye, Missouri, and thoroughly enjoyed lake life. Richard appreciated the outdoors and loved hiking, fishing, and boating. He was a member of a Corvette club, fishing group, and on the HOA committee for the community where he lived. Richard also made time for his family and enjoyed spending time with his many nieces and nephews. The memories and moments created throughout his life will be cherished by all who knew him.
Richard is survived by his brother, William Splitter of California; niece, Reneé Jones and husband, Terry Jones of California; nephew, Michael Splitter and wife, Donnelle of California; great-nieces: Kendall Jones and Jillian; great-nephew, Brandon Splitter; as well as many other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Terry Splitter; and sister-in-law, Linda Splitter.
There will be a celebration of life held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks.
Christian Patzka crosses the finish line at the 2024 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in Terra Haute, Indiana (Ryan Coleman, D3photo)
By Angela Kelm Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
UW-Whitewater’s Christian Patzka has been named the Men’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Patzka secured the individual national title at the 2024 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in Terra Haute, Indiana on Saturday, November 23. The Warhawk phenom traversed the 8k at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in 24:01.6, more than two seconds faster than the rest of the field.
The senior is the first Warhawk to win the national title and the first USTFCCCA Athlete of the Year for cross country in program history.
Over the course of his illustrious career at UW-Whitewater Patzka has accumulated numerous accolades in both cross country and track and field. In cross country, Patzka is a four-time All-WIAC honoree, four-time All-Region selection, four-time All-American, the 2023 WIAC individual champion, a two-time NCAA North Region champion (2022, 2023), a two-time North Region Athlete of the Year (2022, 2023) and the 2022 WIAC Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
On the track, Patzka has stood atop the podium five times earning the national title three times in the 5,000 (2023 and 2024 indoors, 2024 outdoors) and twice in the 3,000 steeplechase (2023, 2024). In total, Patzka holds six individual national titles and is now a 14-time All-American with five honors both indoors and outdoors and four in cross country.
Schlender, Patzka & Anderson earn All-America for UW-Whitewater men’s cross country
Left to right: All-Americans Gunner Schlender, Christian Patzka and Dan Anderson of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater pose with their individual plaques and the team’s fourth-place trophy following the 2024 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships on Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Indiana. (Photo by d3photography.com):
Gunner Schlender, a Physical Education major at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is one of three members of the Warhawk men’s cross country team who garnered All-America accolades by finishing among the top 40 in the field at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Terre Haute, Indiana.
The Warhawks finished fourth overall with 219 points with three runners in the top 20 for team scoring. The fourth place finish is the highest finish in Warhawk men’s cross country history.
Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) became the program’s first-ever national champion. The national runner-up in both 2022 and 2023, Patzka crossed the line with a time of 24:01.6. In the last 200 meters, the 2024 North Regional Champion, Augsburg’s Mohammed Bati, led the pack of runners. Patzka made his move to pass on the final stretch, quickly gaining the lead he needed to finish with a national title. Patzka is the first Warhawk Cross Country runner to win the national title.
Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion) kept pace with Patzka, as they were sitting just a second a part after the 5.6K mark. Schlender finished 12th overall, scoring 10 team points, with a time of 24:22.1.
Both Patzka and Schlender finish their careers as four-time All-Americans in cross country.
Dan Anderson (Eau Claire, Wis./McDonell) was the next Warhawk to cross, finishing 22nd overall with a time of 24:32.9. In the last 1.5K, Anderson jumped up 9 spots to secure 19 team points for the Warhawks and claim his first career All-America medal.
Area Menswear Store Supports Students by Collecting Professional Attire for UW-Whitewater Warhawk Success Closet
J. Robert’s Menswear, a family-owned, area men’s clothing store with locations in Elkhorn and Janesville, is excited to announce the launch of its “Dress for Success Drive,” a charitable initiative in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Career Services. From November 25th to GivingTuesday, December 3rd, 2024, the store invites the community to donate gently used professional attire to benefit UW-Whitewater students in their career pursuits.
This initiative is particularly meaningful to the store’s owner, Kyle Deschner, a 2022 alum of UW-Whitewater. “Our goal is to give back to the community and support the next generation of professionals,” Kyle states. “We’re thrilled to once again contribute to the Warhawk Success Closet, providing students with free access to the professional attire they need for interviews, internships, and career fairs.”
Community members can donate their gently used professional attire at either of the two J. Robert’s Menswear locations in Elkhorn or Janesville through Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024). Accepted items include suits, shirts, ties, dress shoes, and more for men and women, all of which will be directly donated by Kyle to the Warhawk Success Closet at UW-Whitewater. Community members can also donate directly to UW-Whitewater.
As a token of gratitude, J. Robert’s Menswear is offering a $2 store credit for each item donated at one of the store locations, up to a $50 limit per customer, redeemable through March 2025. “This is our way of thanking our community for their generosity and involvement in this important cause,” says Kyle. The Dress for Success Drive is more than a clothing donation; it’s an opportunity for the community to engage in a meaningful act of giving.
For more information on the Dress for Success Drive and how to participate, visit any of the J. Robert’s Menswear store locations.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Ribhav Agrawal from Pixabay.
The Jefferson County Fair held a recognition event for the 2024 inductees into its prestigious Hall of Fame: Cindy Jaquith, Paul Majors, the Kiwanis of Jefferson County, and Roger Kylmanen. These honorees have been recognized as having made remarkable contributions to the fair, exemplifying the spirit of dedication, service, and community support that this recognition celebrates.
A recognition event was held to honor the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Jefferson County Fair Park. This event was hosted by Becky Roberts, Fair Park Director and included friends, family, and community members of the honorees.
Roberts shared, “Each of these individuals and organizations has played a vital role in shaping the success of the Jefferson County Fair, whether through volunteering, advocacy, or enhancing the fair experience for all attendees. Their commitment and efforts have left an enduring mark on this cherished event, ensuring its continued growth and tradition.”
The Kiwanis Club of Jefferson has been involved in the fair since its inception. Back in 1988 many club members were involved in the removal of the old grandstand, as well as the construction of the new one. True to the Kiwanis mission statement “to serve the children of the world: one at a time,” the Kiwanis group has offered scholarships to community youth for nearly 45 years. Along with other opportunities, they manage a food booth at the annual Fair (baked potatoes and corn on the cob) and raise money for its scholarship fund with the proceeds. 2024 almost marked the silver anniversary of Take a Kid Fishing Day event hosted annually by the Kiwanis club volunteers and targeted to provide experiences for local youth that make a different and create memories.
Cindy Jaquith has been one of the backbone volunteers of the Jefferson County Fair for nearly three decades. Ironically, as a child she didn’t participate in the Fair or youth organizations that show, but when she was a mother, she connected her children to the fair. Being the logistics queen that she is, she inserted herself in a leadership role to better understand the working of the fair….and never turned back. Her nominator shared that Cindy really likes to be the one behind the scenes and not in front and center. Cindy contributes to the Fair with her heart. She is full of passion for the thousands of youths that have passed through the doors of the Fair for decades. Cindy currently serves as a Fair Superintendent to be an advocate for exhibitors and support the judging process. She is also the coordinator of the Hospitality Tent for the Animal Auction & Youth Celebration event at the Fair.
Paul Majors has been the Whitewater FFA Advisor for nearly 25 years. During that time, he has been volunteering with the Jefferson County Fair in a variety of ways. He genuinely enjoys helping young exhibitors with their projects and supports them with unique training tips and commands for their animals. He has been a tried-and-true volunteer for the Fair and is here in person every day to show support to his members. Paul has a glass half full spirit and will say that he never sees a problem, just an opportunity.
Roger Kylmanen played a major role with the logistics of the infrastructure that a fair involves. Vendor placement, animal care and use of barns was always top on his list. While Roger didn’t have a past with 4-H, he absolutely had a connection to the 4-H families. He was very proud to watch the fair grow over the two decades of his service as the Fair Park Supervisor and continued to do so even after retiring in August 2020. Some of his favorite memories involved how the music scene grew at the fair and he enjoyed the concerts that were held each year. He would also enjoy watching the horse shows and being a part of the growth of them at the Fair Park. “Roger has left an irreplaceable and indelible mark on the Fair and the Fair Park Operations,” stated Roberts. Roger’s wife Daisy accepted the award on his behalf.
The event included a short program, a chance to meet the inductees, and refreshments featuring a gourmet cookies and milk station, chosen as a fair-appropriate treat.
About the Jefferson County Fair: County operated, the Jefferson County Fair is a long-standing tradition that brings together the community to celebrate agriculture, education, and entertainment. Through its Hall of Fame, the fair recognizes individuals and organizations whose contributions have been integral to its success.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Jefferson County Fair.
On December 3, 2024, the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs (“WFWC”) will join millions around the world participating in the global generosity movement of GivingTuesday. The WFWC will inspire generosity by reaching out to all who support historic preservation and Whitewater’s heritage – and Whitewater’s historic Bassett House in particular.
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on December 3, 2024, and throughout the year.
For almost 100 years, WFWC has been the custodian of the Bassett House, built in 1857 and one of the oldest buildings in Whitewater. For the last five years, the WFWC has been engaged in a comprehensive and necessary restoration of the Bassett House, from top to bottom and both inside and out. To complete this restoration, which will ensure the Bassett House’s conservation for the foreseeable future, the WFWC is seeking donations from supporters of historic preservation and of the Bassett House to secure the funds the WFWC needs for this essential work.
“Since the Bassett House has been in our care since 1926, it has allowed us to connect with the past,” said Pat Blackmer, WFWC President. “Because it is of architectural, historic, and cultural history, it provides us with a sense of place and community. I have always believed that through our efforts of preservation, we save the future by rescuing the past.”
GivingTuesday was launched in 2012 as a simple idea: to create a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eleven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. People demonstrate generosity in many ways on GivingTuesday. Whether it’s helping out a neighbor or stranger, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving to causes we care about, every act of generosity counts. GivingTuesday has raised billions of dollars for critical causes around the world and gets billions of impressions on social media from people and organizations speaking up for the causes that matter to them and encouraging others to get involved in their communities.
“GivingTuesday inspires people all around the world to embrace their power to drive progress around the causes they care about, not just on one day but throughout the year,” said Asha Curran, GivingTuesday’s CEO, and co-founder. “With country and community leaders, millions of organizations, and countless givers of all kinds, GivingTuesday is creating a shared space where we can see the radical implications of a more generous world.”
Those who are interested in joining the WFWC’s GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.bassetthousewww.org. A tax-deductible gift may be made directly on the website or by mailing a check.
About the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Bassett House Whitewater’s women’s clubs date to the late nineteenth century, and began as forums for women to gather, socialize, study, and engage in civic betterment and contributions to the community. In 1926, Florence Basssett, a lifetime member of one of Whitewater’s women’s clubs, bequeathed her lifelong home, the Bassett House, to the WFWC, which has been its sole custodian ever since. Today, the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s most historic homes, serves as the meeting place for the clubs, the site of community events, and an events venue available to the public for private events. “This beautiful home is a historic gem, a precious piece of Whitewater’s heritage that continues to contribute to Whitewater and surrounding communities today,” said Linda Robinson, WFWC Vice-President. “Its preservation is a trust we all owe to current and future generations of Whitewater residents so that they may enjoy and experience this piece of Whitewater history for years to come.”
About GivingTuesday GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eleven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
Whether it’s making someone smile, helping out a neighbor or stranger, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give. GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.
