News

The Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson has announced that their annual gingerbread house contest is back for its 10th year in preparation for the upcoming holidays.

The contest is open to individuals of all ages, groups, and families to construct gingerbread houses or buildings and enter them into the museum’s contest.

“Over the past decade, it has been a pleasure to see the large variety of entries into our contest,” said Merrilee, Director of the Hoard Historical Museum, “Seeing everyone’s creativity is something we look forward to every single year and this year will be no different.”

Gingerbread bakers may enter in one of four categories: Original building design by kit; Original building design by scratch; Building replica design by kit; or Building replica design by scratch. Building replica designs are inspired by real buildings, such as your own house, a church in town, or the White House in Washington, D.C., as well as fictional buildings such as the house from “Bluey” or Platform 9 ¾ from the Harry Potter series. Original building designs are not found in real life or in fiction.

Gingerbread creations must take the form of a house or a building, and they must be decorated by edible materials, but non-edible interior support structure material may be used. Houses must be placed on a sturdy board base no larger than 24” by 24.” Each gingerbread entry also needs a completed entry form. Copies of the form can be found on the museum’s website,
www.hoardmuseum.org, or are available for pick up at the museum’s office.

There is no fee to enter the contest. To enter this exhibit and contest, bring completed gingerbread house and completed registration form with the list of materials used in constructing the gingerbread structure to the museum. Registration and drop off for the 10th annual contest will be from Tuesday, December 2-Saturday, December 6 during regular museum hours or contact museum staff for an alternative time. For more specifications and requirements, please pick up an entry form at the Hoard Historical Museum during open hours, visit the Museum’s website, www.hoardmuseum.org or send an email request to info@hoardmuseum.org.

The Gingerbread House Exhibit will be open for viewing beginning on Tuesday, December 9. The Popular Choice Penny-Voting will occur from Tuesday, December 9, through Saturday, December 13, during the museum’s regular hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. “It’s always challenging to pick your favorite gingerbread house,” said Lee. “But this is one time you can
vote as many times as you like for your favorite!” The houses will also be judged by judges who are not museum staff. Awards will be announced on Tuesday, December 16th on the museum’s website and Facebook page. First place winners in each category are awarded a cash prize and ribbon. Ribbons and certificates will also be given to second, third, and honorable mention in each category.

Entries must be dropped off at the museum by Saturday, December 6 by 4:30 pm and must be picked up by Saturday, December 20 during regular museum hours. Contact museum staff for an alternative time if necessary. If entries are not picked up, they will be disposed of by museum staff.

The Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine Museum are located at 401 Whitewater Avenue in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. The museums are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call the museums at 920.397.9914, visit our website www.hoardmuseum.org, and
like us on Facebook.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Hoard Historical Museum.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. A few weeks ago, this building, on the Milwaukee Street bridge, was demolished. We found a photo, probably from the 1970s, of this building when it was Baker’s Garage, an AMC, Jeep, and GMC truck dealership and service station run by Harley Baker. The building was constructed in 1924 as a modern filling station for the O’Neil Oil and Paint company and became a D-X service station in the 1940s. Harley Baker acquired the building in 1948 after operating a garage at his home on North Street for a number of years. After the dealership and garage closed, Baker’s daughter, Donna Baker Henry, remodeled the building for offices.

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

(5433P, Whitewater Historical Society)

Abigail Brown Receives Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority Scholarship
Recognition of Academic Achievement by Whitewater Educators’ Sorority

Abigail Brown, a senior from Muskego, is currently pursuing a major in English with a minor in creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her dedication and accomplishments have recently been recognized through the awarding of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority’s scholarship. The scholarship was presented during the College of Education and Professional Studies award program, which took place on Monday, November 10th at the University Center. This event celebrated outstanding students across the college and highlighted their achievements and contributions.

Ms. Brown is set to graduate in the spring of 2026 with a degree in education. As part of her academic journey, she will complete her student teaching at the high school level in Palmyra, further preparing her for a career in education.

Valerie Mason of Whitewater writes, “This week I caught this sweet picture of a young buck taking time to check out the colorful fall leaves.”

Our thanks to Valerie Mason for sharing this sweet picture.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

Studio 84 is doing the winter Flower Power Fundraiser. This includes a variety of items such as amaryllis, paperwhites, gifts, seeds and more.

Our personalized website is: http://studio84.fpfundraising.com

Orders placed by December 1st will arrive before the holidays for gift giving. The website will be open to receive orders until December 15th. Studio 84 will receive up to 50% of total sales from all orders placed. Your order will be shipped directly to your home.

Please consider this holiday fundraiser as a way to continue to support the programming at Studio 84.

A felting workshop will take place Monday, Nov. 17, in Whitewater. It is set for 5 to 8 p.m. at Wisconsin Makers, 200 E. Clay St. Attendees may work on needle or wet felting or both. The fee is $20, materials included. Payment may be made at the class.

Register by calling instructor Leani Schoor at (608) 421-4078 or emailing her at leanischoor@gmail.com.

Having earned her Bachelor of Science degree in art education and Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Schoor taught art at Jefferson High School for 38 years. The owner of Studio 2154 in Madison, she teaches wet and needle felting, beadwork, glass fusing, cement yard art, ceramics, copper enameling, metal work and quilting.

Located at the corner of East Clay and Wisconsin streets in Whitewater, Wisconsin Makers is a makerspace or community workshop. For more information, contact Chris Spangler at (920) 728-2960.

The Florence Bassett Club of the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs cordially invites the public to attend a historical presentation by Michael Rehberg, Lead Interpreter at Black Point Estate and Gardens, the Wisconsin Historical Society’s house museum in Lake Geneva. The event will be held at the Bassett House, located at 708 West Main Street in Whitewater, on Wednesday, November 19th at 1:30 p.m.

Mr. Rehberg’s presentation will examine the history of Black Point Estate, its significance among the mansions of the lake region, its preservation, and aspects of summer life at the estate. He will highlight the entrepreneurial achievements of the Conrad Seipp family, builders of the house, as well as their philanthropic contributions to the county.

A permanent resident of Walworth County with a home on the south shore of Lake Como, Mr. Rehberg holds both BA and MBA degrees from UW–Madison. He managed the development of Lake Geneva’s walking tours in collaboration with the Geneva Lake Museum and the Lake Geneva Preservation Commission. Additionally, he is active in local history and preservation organizations, serving on the Board of Directors for the Walworth County Historical Society.

All members of the community are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Florence Bassett Club.