Emily McFarland, City of Whitewater Interim Economic Development Director, will be presenting two housing related reports to the Community Development Authority Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. The reports are titled Housing Strategy Update and Presentation Stonehaven Development.
Andrea Svec submitted the following announcement to The Whitewater Banner on behalf of Common Sense Citizens. The Banner does not have a position on this matter.
No more subsidized apartments in Whitewater! Let YOUR voice be heard on Thursday, July 17th at 5:30 p.m. at the City Development Authority meeting!
Do you want MORE apartments in Whitewater? How about paying for those apartments with a tax increase brought on by TIF subsidies over the next 17 years?
The City of Whitewater is pushing for more high and medium density apartments to be built in Whitewater. As an incentive to the builders, our city is pushing to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The City of Whitewater is trying to award TIF subsidies at more than 20.9% and as high as 24.7% of the assessed project value to the developers. Surrounding communities such as Elkhorn and Waterford are paying developers between 7-12.5% subsidies. The estimated subsidy total for TIF approved Whitewater housing and apartment projects is approximately $23,339,589.00.
If an apartment developer would like to build in Whitewater – why does Whitewater have to subsidize at those rates? The developer has little to no skin in the game because if no one wants to rent those apartments at the rates suggested – the government could subsidize those apartment rents through section 8 and 42 housing programs. If a builder thinks his apartments will be filled – there is no reason for the taxpayer to entice him with money to build those apartments.
Things to consider: – There could be tax increases for all residents. A city resident with a home valued at $300,000 could easily reach an additional $235 in taxes per year. Another levy for a new grade school could result in an increase of an estimated $207 per year affecting citizens in the City as well as the Town of Whitewater – TIF dollars have traditionally been used to bring in business. Whitewater needs more jobs. Bring in the business. New citizens will follow – Whitewater is already 70% rental – one of the highest rental communities in Wisconsin. We should be focusing on new and existing residential structures for families – TIF dollars can be used for blight to help restore existing structures in our neighborhood – Emergency and City services could be strained resulting in additional fees and taxes to accommodate the increased citizen needs
The Whitewater Common Sense Citizens (www.wwcsc.org) group and others are fighting for lower taxes and for a housing development strategy that makes sense for ALL citizens. We need your help. Please support our efforts by joining us at City Hall on Thursday, July 17th at 5:30 p.m.. You can find more information about the meeting here.
Editor’s note: First published in the Spring 2025 issue of On Wisconsin magazine, the publication for UW-Madison alumni and friends. We appreciate having permission to post on The Whitewater Banner.
For the Love of a Pet: A UW veterinary clinic provides affordable care for owners experiencing hardship
By Meghan Lepisto ’03, MS’04 Photos by Bryce Richter
One thing you notice about WisCARES is the kindness. It’s a place where happiness abounds, even among some of life’s most unhappy circumstances.
In a sparkling-clean silver cage, a black kitty rears up like a tiny lion, front paws in the air, jostling a shiny pink ball that a student just selected for her. A few feet away, a wiggly gray puppy tosses an oversized toy and smooshes it until it squeaks.
Through a door and down the hall, the owners of these and other animals wait patiently in exam rooms. As they pass the time, many concerns — not limited to their pet’s health — might weigh on their minds. At this veterinary clinic, those facing tough challenges seek care for their treasured companions.
Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education, and Social Services, or WisCARES for short, provides veterinary medical care, housing support and advocacy, and other social services to Dane County [and any other WI county] pet owners experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or financial hardship.
WisCARES veterinary assistant Madison Edens ’24 examines Yoki, the program’s resident cat.
“WisCARES serves people who would not be able to seek care for their pets,” says Lyn Empey DVM’98, a veterinarian with the clinic. “Seeing how much [WisCARES clients] love their pets and would do for their pets, then being able to provide services for them and seeing them be so incredibly grateful — there’s nothing better than that.”
The program is led by the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, with support from the Schools of Social Work and Pharmacy. Its mission has four parts. The clinic works to keep pets with their families and empowers people to care for the animals through free or low-cost veterinary medicine. The team helps clients gain access to housing, social support services, and human health care. Student training is constant, preparing well-rounded veterinarians and other health professionals. And because the same societal challenges occur nationwide, WisCARES shares what it learns and models what is possible.
The team says a “one health” approach — connecting the dots between people, animals, and their environment — guides its work. It’s veterinary medicine with the utmost compassion for people, too.
Pets and Poverty
Based in south Madison, WisCARES is taking a local approach to a problem that is national in scope.
Within Dane County, one-third of households can’t afford basic needs. That number grows to 41 percent nationally.
About two-thirds of U.S. households have a pet, a segment that varies only slightly based on socioeconomic status.
In a recent national poll, the Humane Society found that 43 percent of pet owners couldn’t pay for their pets’ needs at some point due to financial reasons. Moreover, the organization estimates that 20 million pets in the U.S. live in poverty with their families, and 70 percent of those animals have never seen a vet.
Kristin Baert DVMx’25, veterinarian Kelly Schultz, and certified veterinary technician Haidi Rodriguez (right) assess Foxxy, a Bichon Frisé mix, for leg injuries.
“There is a huge group of people who simply cannot afford to go to a regular veterinary clinic,” says Empey.
Ruthanne Chun ’87, DVM’91, a veterinary oncologist and the program’s director, knows what you might be thinking.
“If you don’t have the money to take care of an animal, you shouldn’t have it. We hear that a lot,” she says. “Well, if I don’t have $10,000 to put my animal through a chemotherapy protocol, should I not have that animal? That’s crazy, right? So, where’s the cutoff when you make that kind of a statement?”
WisCARES encourages a more compassionate approach that acknowledges the causes of poverty, the downstream impacts of financial hardship, and the immense benefits that pets and people gain from life together.
“Any client who comes in, that human–animal bond, that connection, is so real and so beneficial,” says Liddy Alvarez, a primary care veterinarian who directs the program’s curriculum.
Willow Williams ’21, DVMx’25, now in her fourth year as a veterinary medical student, has worked at the clinic since 2019. The core of its mission, she says, is making sure that “we are able to support both animals and humans. WisCARES and other places that provide access to care are allowing people to stay with their pets, and that is invaluable.”
So Few Options
To qualify for WisCARES services, clients share proof that they have low income or are experiencing homelessness. About 10 percent of current clients are without housing. Many also face transportation, disability, and language barriers to care.
Clinic staff do what they can to reduce clients’ obstacles, providing cab service, Spanish translation, or accommodations for people with limited mobility — “little things to help when the physical task of treating their animal is difficult,” explains Kelly Schultz ’05, MS’11, DVM’15, WisCARES’s medical director and lead clinical instructor. “I hope the pet owners feel cared for and seen, because a lot of our clients move through the world in a way that is uncaring and invisible. … I want them to feel like any other pet owner.”
WisCARES was founded as a student initiative [see the article after this one.] The School of Veterinary Medicine adopted and expanded the program in 2013, starting humbly through street outreach. Next, it hosted two-hour veterinary clinics at the Tenant Resource Center and Salvation Army twice a month. Then came a physical space — a donated Quonset hut — where for several years they built their client base by word of mouth.
In 2018, the clinic relocated to a newly renovated facility. Its footprint grew dramatically, as did its services. It added surgery, dentistry, an X-ray machine, and in-house lab testing. It also expanded its hours to Monday through Friday and hired additional staff. Then the economic crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic brought an influx of new clients.
On the heels of its 10th anniversary, the team sees more need than ever.
“A lot of people call us every day, and we can’t see a lot of them. That can be tough,” Schultz says. “We would like to increase our capacity. There are so few options if you can’t afford veterinary care.”
WisCARES is an early adopter of serving vulnerable communities within veterinary medicine.
“As an interprofessional program that has a brick-and-mortar clinic open five days a week, we’re one of the first and only clinics leading that charge,” Schultz says. The team shares its experiences and knowledge nationally through presentations, publications, advisory panels, and more.
AnAbsoluteBlessing
On average, WisCARES sees 80 to 100 pets per week. Appointments range from wellness exams and vaccines to disease management or dental work.
Sarah Laverty has used the clinic three times, most recently visiting with her 11-year-old cat, Princess. The onset of a chronic illness of her own in 2017 changed Laverty’s life course.
“I had worked a job for 19 years, made a good income, and then suddenly I’m disabled,” she says. “My income is not what it used to be.”
The clinic has “been an absolute blessing” to Laverty and her two cats, who she says mean the world to her. “Everybody’s so friendly and really engaged in the care of the pets.”
Elisa Rosas and her blue heeler, Rexy, have been clients of the clinic for about four years. “Everybody’s very nice. This place is great,” Rosas says while petting Rexy’s head after his checkup and nail trim.
Rexy is 14 years old and blind but still sets his inner clock to a daily walk with Rosas. “He’s waiting for me. We have a certain time, around three o’clock. So he’s ready,” she says. “He’s a good boy.”
Besides veterinary care, WisCARES provides clients with pet supplies. Toys, collars, leashes, pet food, crates of all sizes, beds, and practically anything else one might need for a pet are organized tidily from floor to ceiling in a warehouse space at the back of the clinic. Stacks of dog and cat food sit on rows of shelves nearby. Puppy and kitty packs are in another set of bins containing essential supplies for new animal family members. Donations make it all possible.
SocialSupports
Sometimes, by caring for pets, WisCARES helps people care for themselves.
Their pet fostering program allows clients’ dogs and cats to stay for up to three months in a volunteer foster home. This temporary care helps pet owners find housing or emergency shelter, access health care, seek mental health services, or enter treatment programs — options that can otherwise be out of reach for people with pets who lack housing or social support.
In 2023, the organization fostered 43 animals. Among them was a cat belonging to a man who required open-heart surgery but refused the procedure until he was sure his cat would be well cared for.
Veterinary assistants Kiera Christensen x’25 (left) and Edens work with Dart, a Great Dane mix, prior to administering vaccines. For the past 10 years, donations have boosted WisCARES’s ability to provide no- and low-cost care and allowed the program to expand its services.
Earlier this year, a local organization that assists individuals facing domestic violence approached WisCARES. “They came to us for help because they have a lot of clients who are fleeing domestic abuse situations and have pets,” says Schultz.
The support organization now covers the cost of a package of veterinary care at the clinic for pet owners trying to leave an abusive partner. This includes an exam, core vaccines, and other essentials that a landlord might ask to see — so the animal is ready to move once the owner is.
Real-WorldExperience
Veterinary medical students get critical training at WisCARES through hands-on care and client interactions. “There is so much the students gain and learn through experiencing even just briefly the lives of the clients they’re working with,” Alvarez says.
About 70 veterinary medical students train in the clinic annually in groups of three to five for two weeks at a time. Students manage all cases, communicating with clients, examining patients, and providing care to the animals in coordination with veterinarians and technicians.
Others train at the clinic, too. Pharmacy students fill prescriptions and stock medications. And social-work students help identify social service resources and counsel clients. “A lot of times, our clients are not treated well in the world,” says Jennifer Wheeler Brooks, the organization’s director of social work and outreach. “They come here, and they’re treated well.”
Veterinary-degree seniors Baert and Abigail Martinson ’21 prepare Princess for surgery.
Student trainings cover topics ranging from poverty, homelessness, and the social determinants of health to ways of approaching client conversations with empathy and an open mind. How to help people keep their pets as healthy as possible within a budget is a significant point of emphasis.
“Every client that comes in, we teach the students to work with them where they are,” explains Alvarez. In recent years, veterinary medical schools have prioritized training graduates for a full spectrum of care or a broad range of diagnosis and treatment options from state-of-the-art to more conservative. Again, the UW and WisCARES are at the forefront. Alvarez says a spectrum of care has been a central focus of their curriculum “in an organic, natural way” for a decade.
“Not every client is going to be able to do the most advanced and amazing things, and that’s okay,” she says. “So, let’s figure out how to treat the patient in front of you.”
UnderstandingandOpenness
Maura Enright DVM’24 began working at WisCARES as an undergraduate who hoped to attend vet school — a dream that culminated with her graduation in May. Her time at the clinic made her aware of the challenges facing many pet owners.
“It’s been so transformative in how I view the veterinary field,” she says. Her mindset as she enters her career: “How can we support this patient and the owner, regardless of what they can bring to the table that day?”
Alvarez wants students to leave with an understanding that veterinary medicine isn’t solely about working at an upscale clinic where clients can pay full price when they walk in the door. “There’s more to veterinary medicine than that, and there’s more to society, people, and pets than that,” she says.
The team finds purpose in WisCARES’s dual approach of veterinary medicine and social justice, helping to change the trajectory daily for pets and people. Teaching students adds extra inspiration, and Schultz sees potential for long-term impact. “I like to think that I’m making a difference every day and that because we have the students with us, maybe four decades from now, a past student will think about WisCARES and make a different medical decision.”
What kind of decision would that be? “A kinder, more thoughtful decision,” she says. •
Meghan Lepisto ’03, MS’04 is a writer based in Madison. She treasures the bond shared with her own affectionate mutt.
WisCARESStartedwithStudents
As a veterinary student at UW–Madison, Katie Kuehl DVM’12 knew she wanted to help vulnerable pet owners.
At the time, there was a pervasive attitude in the medical field that considered pets unsafe for people who were immunocompromised. But a lecture by Professor Chris Olsen opened Kuehl’s eyes to ways to make pet ownership safer for these patients.
Along with fellow student William Gilles DVM’13, she was inspired to approach the AIDS Network of South-Central Wisconsin to provide training for AIDS Network clients and case managers about safe pet care.
They named their venture WisCARES. Following graduation, Gilles served for several years as director of WisCARES, helping to build the program in its broader iteration as a School of Veterinary Medicine initiative.
In 2017, Kuehl joined the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine to lead the university’s Shelter Medicine program and help found the One Health Clinic, where she serves as veterinary director. The clinic provides human and animal health care side by side in a shelter for people and their pets experiencing homelessness.
“If you think about folks who are houseless,” she says, “they have this animal that’s literally their best friend and support. Maybe the dog is the reason they get up in the morning and even try, because they want to be able to care for their special friend. Being able to receive care for their animal can make such a huge impact for their own well-being.”
Kuehl was in close contact with WisCARES during the One Health Clinic’s creation and as she incorporated student training. Their paths continue to intersect as collaborators on veterinary continuing education around access to care.
She’s grateful for ongoing connections with UW–Madison mentors and peers and aims to embody the same compassion and drive she experienced at her alma mater.
Editor’s note: Previous articles have been published on The Whitewater Banner regarding a “solar farm” that is proposed to be constructed to the east of the city: Nearly 100 Attended Solar Hearing (July 10); LOCAL Hearing on Proposed Whitewater Solar Project (July 7). This article provides updates on developments since the Public Service Commission [PSC] public hearing on July 10. This includes the opportunity for the public to make comments by Friday, July 18 on the Supplemental Environmental Assessment that the PSC issued. Approximately 1000 comments were submitted by the original deadline of July 10. The Banner does not have a position regarding the project but encourages the public to be informed about it and to submit any comments they may have for or against the project.
The video of the Public Service Commission’s 2:00 p.m. public hearing on July 10 may be viewed here. The video of the 6:00 p.m. public hearing may be viewed here.
TMJ4 ran a story on July 10, “Proposed solar project near Ice Age Trail raises concerns among hikers and environmentalists.” The byline reads “Local residents worry the 2,700-acre Whitewater Solar Project will permanently alter the landscape and harm wildlife near one of Wisconsin’s most treasured natural areas” ________________________________________________________________
The “big beautiful bill” eventually eliminates tax credits for solar projects. The residential solar tax credit for homeowner solar systems will expire on December 31, 2025. For solar farms and other commercial projects, the tax credit remains available but with stricter conditions. Projects must begin construction before July 4, 2026 and be completed by December 31, 2027 to qualify for the full 30% credit. The bill also includes provisions that indirectly push for solar panels to be made in the U.S. by restricting the use of components from certain foreign entities.
Originally written comments on the proposed project were required to be submitted by July 11; however, as a result of last minute changes to the project the Public Service Commission prepared a Supplemental Environmental Assessment for the project. There’s a short window until Friday, July 18 for the public to comment on this document. Comments may be submitted here. It is suggested that commenters may wish to ask for a full Environmental Impact Statement to be completed.
The group that is opposing the project also suggests the following concerns that commenters might wish to mention:
SAVE THE KETTLE!: The unacceptable close proximity of this Whitewater Solar Project to the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest, the second most visited Forest in the state, home of the cherished Ice Age Trail, a National Scenic Trail. (Pg. 82-83) They quite simply ignore the negative impacts of the Whitewater Solar Project on the Kettle area residents, prime farmland and wildlife, and the value this cherished recreational area brings to the citizens who regularly visit from the local urban areas.
UNACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: The host of new, irreversible, unavoidable environmental effects of this Whitewater Solar Project including: negative aesthetic impacts to the rural lovely landscape, noise pollution, inexcusable removal of prime farmland from production, wildlife impacts, wetland impacts, changes to vegetation, soil compaction, erosion, stormwater runoff and infiltration. (Pg. 81-82)
LOCAL CONTROVERSY: A simple drive through the area, or a look at the Public Comments offered would make it quite clear that there’s huge local pushback on this project. But sadly, the staff charged with this task did a “desk review” for this document and didn’t take the time to come out to see the impact for themselves. The complete omission/lack of acknowledgement of the obvious local controversy over this project (Pg. 82) in the preparation of the supplemental EA is beyond concerning, it’s gross negligence.
PEOPLE ARE IN THE DARK: The local residents have not been properly/adequately informed on these updates including: including new panels, new inverters, floodplain and wetland impacts, new sound and fencing impacts on local residents, and a larger footprint for the project. This was evident in the Public hearings conducted at 2pm and 6pm on July 9th.
UNABLE TO MITIGATE: This Whitewater Solar Project cannot be adequately screened with landscaping to protect all of the longtime residents of the area and/or visitors coming to enjoy the peace and serenity of the lovely Kettle from the horrible noise and devastating visual impacts of the Project. In fact, to date, the Applicant does not even have a Landscaping plan available for review.
INADEQUATE TIME FOR REVIEW: The speed with which the PSC was required to review the new Application materials delivered at this late date to the PSC and complete this updated EA- They had from June 4th to July 2. This process usually takes months, and they had to do it in weeks. The intervenors have been stressed beyond belief by this truncated process, that has been expedited to meet the needs of the Applicant, ignoring the needs of the citizens.
“Broken to Beautiful” is the theme of a fall retreat planned by First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fort Atkinson.
The public is invited to join congregation members Friday through Sunday, Sept. 26-28, at the Daycholah Center on the southeastern shore of Green Lake in Ripon.
The per-person fee of $270 covers two nights in the Oak Mound Lodge, six meals, faith experiences and fieldtrips.
Persons with several family members attending or for whom participation would be a financial hardship are encouraged to speak with the Rev. Dr. Sara Rabe, pastor of First Congregational UCC.
Activities might include nature walks, birding, fishing, service projects, Bible study, arts and crafts, music, games, fieldtrips and more. A visit to the Wes Hunting Studio Glass in Princeton is planned. Morning devotions, evening vespers and Sunday worship also are slated. Programs and the final schedule will be based on the makeup and input of attendees.
All ages are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Friday’s arrival time is flexible, at 11:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. to accommodate work schedules. Departure is set for 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
The registration deadline is Aug. 17. Register online at https://fortfcc.org/forms. A paper registration form can be downloaded and also is available at the church, located at 31 W. Milwaukee Ave. in Fort Atkinson.
This marks First Congregational UCC’s third annual retreat to the Daycholah Center, affiliated with United Church Camps Outdoor Ministry. Located at W1010 Spring Grove Road in Ripon, this sacred place is the ancestral homeland of the Menomonie, Ojibwa and Ho Chunk Nations.
For more information, contact Pastor Rabe at (920) 563-4802.
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16 for Jefferson, Rock and Walworth Counties. A watch indicates that conditions may be right for a tornado to form, but no tornadoes have yet been sighted.
Updated on 7/16 @ 10:30 a.m. with the image and narrative below. There is no major change from yesterday’s forecast.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office indicates that there is potential for strong to severe thunderstorms in our area on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
A broken line of strong storms is expected to develop (between 12 PM to 2 PM CDT) in southwest and south central WI.
The storms are expected to sweep eastward across the rest of the area between 2 PM this afternoon to 6 PM CDT this evening, before moving out over Lake Michigan after 7 PM CDT this evening.
Some storms may become strong to severe (risk level 2 out of 5), with damaging wind gusts as the primary hazard, but cannot rule out an embedded, brief tornado.
Heavy rainfall accompanying storms with 1-2 inches of rainfall and locally high pockets of >3″ mainly north of the I-94 corridor. Heavy rainfall over the same area for extended periods of time (+1 hr) would result in low-lying and urban and small stream flash flooding.
Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Curbside Pickup Services
The library is currently under construction, so only curbside pickup services are available at this time. Here’s how it works:
1. Place items on hold in your library account. You can access your account via whitewaterlibrary.org or the Bridges Cafe Mobile App.
2. When your holds show as available in your account, call or email the library to schedule a pickup appointment.
3. Pickup appointments are available in 2-hour windows.
4. During your appointment window, come to the library’s door on W. Center St. and a staff member who’s stationed in the entryway will assist you. Your item(s) will be ready and will already be checked out. You may also return items. There is an accessible ramp for anyone who may have a disability.
Contact the library at 262-473-0530 or library@whitewater-wi.gov to schedule an appointment or with questions.
My name is Gabriel Romero. I started art as a hobby after my accident. I liked the drawings I saw in magazines and newspapers. I like to draw with pencils of all kinds; it’s what I always use. I will be showing my art pieces in TeaLux Cafe Gallery for two months, July and August. Enjoy my art.
Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce awarding almost $60,000 in scholarships to students pursuing academic degrees in career fields that support Fort HealthCare’s Mission. Each of the following scholarships is made possible by generous donations in recognition of the important roles in healthcare to maintain the quality of life we enjoy in the communities we serve.
Thank you to each of our benefactors and the hundreds of people who donated honorary and memorial contributions to make these scholarships possible. Congratulations to Fort HealthCare’s 2025 scholarship award recipients!
Fort HealthCare Partners Scholarships Award Winners Health Career Advancing Scholarship – Health Careers Advancing Education Scholarships are awarded to candidates who currently hold a degree or certification in a healthcare field and are now enrolled in a course of study that leads to an advanced degree in a healthcare field.
Two scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to: o Brooke Hartwig o Eli Koehler
High School Student Applications – Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Three scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to: o Ashlyn Enke o Iris Harstford o Breleigh Mengel
Health Career Scholarship – Associate Degree Program – Scholarship awards are available to students who are currently enrolled in a two-year program in a healthcare field. Two scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to: o Maritza Alvarado o Summer Semrau
Woody Finn Memorial Scholarship – In memory of Woody Finn, a long-time dedicated volunteer of Fort Memorial Hospital, a scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a career in healthcare who serves regularly in a volunteer role. One scholarship of $2,000 was awarded to: o Joanna Guevera
Fort Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Scholarships Award Winners Fort HealthCare medical staff sponsors several scholarships in memory of Dr. Robert Handeyside. Graduating seniors who reside or attend school in the Fort HealthCare service area and have chosen a career in the healthcare field are eligible for this scholarship. Five scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to:
o Jessica Besch o Kaylee Farrar o Matthew Ketterhagen o Lucien Pomazak o Chloe Smith
Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarships Award Winners General Scholarship Four scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to:
o Kateri Kawleski o Matthew Ketterhagen o Savannah Vind o Hadley Wendorff
Scott W. Hulstein Scholarship – The Scott W. Hlstein Scholarship was set up by his parents,Ger rit and Rebecca Hulstein, in his memory. Scholarships are awarded to a high school senior or an undergraduate currently enrolled at a college or technical school pursuing a degree in the healthcare field. Nine scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to: o Haley Bristol o Christian Crabtree o Kaylee Farrar o Iris Harstford o Grecia Hernandez o Gabrielle Kirley o Ella Last o Belle Peterson o Madison Stine
Jacobson Scholarships – The Jacobson Scholarships are awarded to a Jefferson High School graduate and to a continuing student with at least one semester completed in a healthcare field, with priority given to students on the RN track. Two scholarships of $500 and $1,000 each were awarded to: o Grecia Hernandez — $500 o Dawn Hove — $1,000
Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarship – Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarships will be awarded to students studying medicine or nursing at an accredited institution of higher learning. Per the trust established by Ms. Kolasinski, preference will be given to medical students beyond their second year and nursing students beyond their first year. Five scholarships of $500 and $1,000 each were awarded to: o Brooke Hartwig — $1,000 o Olivia Riemer — $1,000 o Jenna Rudolph — $1,000 o Jadyn Splittgerber — $500 o Juanita Tarp — $1,000
Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship – The Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship awards Fort HealthCare employees who are studying nursing (LPN, ADN, BSN Completion, MSN) at an accredited college or university. Consideration is given to the applicant’s service and involvement in the community and Fort HealthCare, excluding job related activities. Two scholarships of $1,250 each were awarded to: o Jadyn Splittgerber o Juanita Tarp
Wanda L. Draeger Nursing Scholarship – This scholarship was established in memory of Wanda L. Draeger, RN, who was an OB nurse at Fort HealthCare for 45 years. Applicants must be currently enrolled and have completed at least one year in an accredited nursing school. One scholarship of $1,000 was awarded to: o Abigail Frame
Arthur and Nancy Nesbitt Nursing Scholarship – This scholarship was established by Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt in appreciation of the excellent care provided by Fort HealthCare’s nurses. Applicants must be employees of Fort HealthCare in good standing and enrolled in an accredited nursing program during the 2024-2025 school year. Ten scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to: o Maritza Alvarado o Danielle Ellenson o Abigail Frame o Dawn Hove o Kaeli Ketter o Eli Koehler o Olivia Riemer o Jenna Rudolph o Danielle Spesard o Jadyn Splittgerber
Florence Falk Nursing Scholarship – This scholarship was established in memory of Florence Falk, LPN, who was an OB nurse at Fort HealthCare for 50 years. Applicants must be an employee in good standing at Fort HealthCare or a graduate of a high school in FortHealthCare’s primary service area (Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, or Whitewater). Applicants must also be currently enrolled in an accredited nursing school and in their second year of nursing school or beyond. One scholarship of $1,640 was awarded to: o Maritza Alvarado
Students interested in applying for Fort HealthCare scholarships can complete an application online at FortHealthCare.com/Scholarships beginning in December each year. Applications are due by the following March 1st. Completing one application makes you eligible for each scholarship applicable to the degree you are pursuing. Applicants must be residents from Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, or Whitewater, or employees at Fort HealthCare. While grade point average is important, it is not always the primary consideration.
Seniors in the Park is sponsoring the Bonzo Squad at the first Concert in the Park of the season, Tuesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to all, featuring the instrumental jazz ensemble Bonzo Squad, which focuses on fun and eclectic music.
We are super excited to be back on Tuesday nights for the Concerts In The Park Series. Our partnership with the City Market is truly unique and we are looking forward to Summer 2025!!
FREE Concerts will start at 6 pm! City Market 4-7 pm. ALL at Cravath Lakefront Park.
[From the Bonzo Squad website] Bonzo Squad is an instrumental ensemble with a focus on creating music that sets the bar higher in terms of eclecticism and musicianship. The group consists of Bonzo himself, born Corbin Andrick, who plays saxophones, flute, and percussion. Completing the line up are Andrew Lawrence (keys and synths), Andrew Vogt bass, as well as Zack Marks sitting behind the drum kit. The band released their very first, self-titled album back in 2017. This release was received really well from the get-go, earning a coveted 4-star rating from Downbeat Magazine, as well as appearing on Spotify’s popular “The State of Jazz” playlist. The band’s debut was later topped with a second release in 2019, “There’s Always Tomorrow.” Recently, the squad released a third record entitled “Pachyderm.”
Bonzo Squad has produced tribute shows to Stevie Wonder and Vulfpeck through the Jazz Record Art Collective in Chicago, IL. They have also presented numerous educational clinics at High Schools, both in person and virtually. They were nominated as one of the best jazz bands by the Chicago Reader in their “2020 Best Of” poll, based primarily on our livestream concerts.
Andrew Lawrence has toured nationally and internationally with District 97, playing venues all across the United States, in Canada, in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Andrew Lawrence and Zack Marks have toured across the US with Bonelang, performing at such festivals as Middle of the Map in Kansas City, MO, Mile of Music in Appleton, WI, SXSW in Austin, TX, and at Wonderstruck Music Festival in Cleveland, OH.
Teens in middle and high school are invited to the Sugar Cookie Creations workshop with baker Jennifer Chartier from Baby Blues Bakery on Thursday, July 17 at 3:30-4:30 p.m.. She will teach participants how to decorate sugar cookies like a pro!
There is no cost, but registration is required. To register, fill out the short form at https://bit.ly/3DPq4Lf. You may also contact the library at 262-473-0530 or library@whitewater-wi.gov to register or with questions.
Please note that due to library construction, this workshop will take place at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center located at 341 S. Fremont Street.
Special thanks to the Bridges Library System for sponsoring this event.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. The library building is currently closed due to construction. Curbside pickup services are available.
