If you look through the back issues of the Whitewater Register, you’ll discover that 75 years ago this weekend, “the most destructive sleet storm in three decades” hit Walworth County, knocking out power lines and making roads impassable due to ice and temperatures as low as 14 below. Although that storm had a huge impact at the time, it’s been mostly forgotten about in the wake of all the other storms the area has experienced since.
However, one thing happened that weekend that has endured throughout the ages. On Friday, January 28, 1949, Dick and Bev Grosskreutz became husband and wife. A little bit of sleet and cold didn’t stop them from getting married, and they have weathered everything that’s been thrown at them since. And now, 75 years later, they are looking forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with their family.
Wisconsin Singers at the Young Auditorium – Friday, February 2 @ 7:30 p.m. – All seats are $25.
Wisconsin Singers got a standing ovation for their concert last year at the Young Auditorium, and word of mouth should certainly bring out a larger audience for their return engagement, featuring all new music.
Wisconsin Singers presents When Opposites Attract for its 56 season! This exhilarating pop music revue explores the variation in the world around us, and the unexpected greatness of bringing opposites and difference together. Audiences will enjoy music from legendary artists such as Tina Turner, Queen, Dolly Parton, and Michael Bublé; showstopping numbers from Hamilton, Wicked, Some Like It Hot, and other award-winning musicals; and even favorite tunes from beloved movie soundtracks like High School Musical, A Goofy Movie, and The Breakfast Club. Performed by UW-Maidson’s nationally renowned dancers, singers, and instrumentalists, Wisconsin Singers will ignite the stage with more than 50 songs in their newest original show. The Singers and their ever-contagious Badger spirit are an unforgettable entertainment experience for every age and musical taste!
The fall semester Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls has been released by Registrar Kelly Browning. It honors 1,656 students.
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. Area students are listed below by name, hometown and major.
Two ex-lovers see each other for the first time in years when they are both snowed in at an airport overnight. Starring Meg Ryan and David Duchovny.
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/
ELKHORN, WI – Nearly half of the tickets have already sold for the second annual ‘Casino Night Benefit’ being held on Saturday, February 10th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Geneva Tap House, located at 252 Broad Street in scenic downtown Lake Geneva. Funds raised will be used to support VIP Services and their ongoing community programs and essential services for adults with disabilities.
Tickets for this unforgettable event are only $50 each and include entrance, playing chips, snacks, and a wide selection of beverages including wines, seltzers, and many varieties of beer. Guests will have the opportunity to play blackjack, roulette, craps and Texas hold’em. The top three chip holders at the end of the night will get to pick from the prize table.
Craig Poshepny, Executive Director of VIP Services, sees the benefit as a chance to educate the public about VIP’s many services and create new connections in the community.
“This is such a unique event, and it is also a great forum for talking about those we support in their efforts to overcome challenges and barriers to find employment and other opportunities to become involved in the community,” Poshepny said during a promotional announcement at VIP. “Moving the benefit to Geneva Tap House creates an opportunity to reach a wider audience here in Walworth County, form new partnerships, and hold an even bigger event than we did last year.”
Poshepny said the additional space at Geneva Tap House will make it possible to have additional gaming tables and host more than 150 guests. Those interested in buying or reserving tickets are encouraged to call VIP Services at 262.723.4043 or visit the organization’s offices at 811 Geneva Street in Elkhorn.
Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our second and final 2024 ATV Safety Education Course on February 6, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and February 17, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave, Janesville, WI 53545. Students will need to attend both sessions to graduate.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, is required to complete an ATV Safety Education Course in order to legally operate an ATV or UTV in areas open to the public within the State of Wisconsin. It is recommended that participants are at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly after the class.
ATV Safety Education Course
Session 1: Tues., February 6, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center Session 2: Sat., February 17, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information.
The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Department.
The Special Olympics cauldron is lit at opening ceremonies. Special Olympics Wisconsin came to the UW-Whitewater campus for the first time with its 2023 games. Athletes enjoyed perfect weather and competed in and around the athletics facilities on the north end of campus. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
By Chris Lindeke Marketing and Communications Manager University Marketing and Communications
For the second consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will welcome Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes and coaches to campus for the State Summer Games. The event is scheduled to take place June 6-8, 2024, and will include competition in track and field, cornhole, powerlifting, tennis and soccer.
Athletes receive medals on a stage at Kachel Fieldhouse. Special Olympics Wisconsin came to the UW-Whitewater campus for the first time with its 2023 games. Athletes enjoyed perfect weather and competed in and around the athletics facilities on the north end of campus. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
In 2023, thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators were on campus for the Summer Games as the university welcomed a record number of visitors for camps and other events.
“We warmly welcome Special Olympics Wisconsin back to campus for the State Summer Games this June,” said Corey A. King, UW-Whitewater chancellor. “Our staff will work tirelessly to ensure that all athletes, coaches and fans enjoy a uniquely satisfying experience while they are on campus. As Warhawks, we embrace high-quality, high-energy events like this and pride ourselves on providing a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment. We are excited to watch these athletes compete.”
“We are thrilled to return to UW-Whitewater for our 2024 Summer Games,” said Chad Hershner, president and CEO of Special Olympics Wisconsin. “UW-Whitewater and the entire Whitewater community are truly collaborative hosts, and we are looking forward to having all community members join us for the games and experience the games alongside our incredible athletes.”
All events for the 2024 State Summer Games will take place on the UW-Whitewater campus.
Healthy Athletes disciplines will also be featured throughout the Summer Games. Health Promotion, a discipline of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes that focuses on healthy living, healthy lifestyle choices and nation-specific health issues, will take place on Friday, June 7. The program offers screenings for bone density, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI).
The Opening Eyes program, which will also take place on June 7, provides Special Olympics athletes with high-quality vision and eye health screenings, prescription eyewear and sports goggles and improved education and training for eye care professionals and optometry students so they are better able to meet the unique needs of this marginalized group.
Special Smiles, which provides comprehensive oral health care information including free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to Special Olympics athletes, will take place Saturday, June 8.
The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation and Golisano Foundation, CDC, support the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative.
Additional information about other events and programs taking place during the games is forthcoming. Volunteers for the 2024 State Summer Games are needed, and signup will be available on SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org. Or, contact volunteer@specialolympicswisconsin.org if you are interested.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please advise us as soon as possible. Requests are confidential. UW-Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Please contact Morgan Anderson at andersml@uww.edu or 262-472-1095 for further information.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
This is the last of our winter images of downtown Whitewater. It was taken in front of the Van Voorhees 1890 addition to the Armory block and the Julius Johnson Block (buildings with the bay windows). Henry Van Voorhees built the Armory Block (200-206 W. Whitewater St.) in 1887, then built the two-storefront addition in 1890. Johnson’s one-storefront building was also constructed in 1890. The bay windows were typical details of late 19th century commercial buildings and help make this building group one of the most elegant in Whitewater’s downtown.
Join us next week for more historic images from the Whitewater Historical Society.
The community is invited to join the Winter Reading Challenge at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. All ages are welcome to participate. Stop by the library and pick up a bookmark anytime between January 22-March 1. Fill in a circle for every 30 minutes you read or listen to a book. When all of the circles are filled, return to the library and claim your goodie bag. All entries will go into a grand prize drawing for a snow tube.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Irvin L. Young Library.
