News

Carol McCormick writes, “Unofficial mascots of Trippe Lake. Once again surveying the water for potential breakfast. Glad to see they’re still in the area!”

Our thanks to Carol McCormick for sharing another great photo.

— 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!

JOINT REVIEW BOARD ANNUAL MEETING
CITY OF WHITEWATER, WISCONSIN
TAX INCREMENTAL FINANCE DISTRICTS NO. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 – Wed. @ 1:30 p.m.
312 West Whitewater Street
Municipal Building, Second Floor, Cravath Lakefront Conference Room
Agenda includes Review Annual PE-300 Reports and the performance and status of the City’s active Tax Increment Districts as required by Wis. Stat. § 1105(4m)(f).
THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/796116965
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code:
796-116-965
United States:
+1 (224) 501-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Landmarks Committee – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Agenda includes Water Tower Situation and Signage; Birge Fountain Fundraising
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/226297181
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 226-297-181
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Edgerton Hospital and Health Services.

Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is pleased to announce a partnership with Senior Life Solutions. Senior Life Solutions will be located in Edgerton Hospital at 11101 N. Sherman Rd. Edgerton, WI 53534.

Edgerton Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions department is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically 65 and older experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging. Individuals may benefit from the Senior Life Solutions program if they are experiencing any of the following common indicators or triggers of depression and anxiety:  

• Anxiety
• Changes in appetite
• Depression 
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feelings of sadness or grief lasting more than two weeks
• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
• Lost a spouse or close family member
• Loss of energy
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Recently experienced a traumatic event

Following an individual assessment, participants meet up to three times per week in a supportive, encouraging group setting.

The program staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed therapists, a registered nurse, and other professionals dedicated to the emotional well-being of the seniors in our community.

Marc Augsburger, CEO of Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, noted the importance of the partnership with Senior Life Solutions, “This partnership is another step in our organization’s continued commitment to meeting the needs of the community. Mental health services are an important part of healthcare and one that our community has expressed an expanded need for. Senior Life Solutions will allow us to provide more services and resources to older adults.”

Anyone can refer a patient to the program, including a physician, family member, the patient, or another healthcare professional. 

For more information, call the Edgerton Hospital Senior Life Solutions program at 608-561-6660.

###

About Senior Life Solutions

Senior Life Solutions is managed by Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC). Founded in 2003, PMC is a leading behavioral healthcare management company focused on addressing the needs of rural and underserved communities. PMC manages inpatient behavioral health units, intensive outpatient programs, and telehealth services in more than 30 states. The company’s services provide evaluation and treatment for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, memory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other behavioral health problems.  For more information, visit www.seniorlifesolutions.com.

About Edgerton Hospital and Health Services

Edgerton Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital. The hospital serves the communities of Edgerton, Milton, Evansville and surrounding areas.  Founded in 1923, the facility offers inpatient, outpatient, surgical, diagnostic, emergency, specialty, mental health, and rehabilitation services.  For additional information about Edgerton Hospital, please visit www.edgertonhospital.com.

By Sherry Stanek

On October 24th, 2023 Whitewater’s historic Territorial Oak was taken down. Since the 1800s, it has been located at the intersection of what became Franklin and Main Streets. Unfortunately, the tree had been in decline for a long time, but in the past few years had stopped producing acorns and produced only a few leaves as is common for dying trees. Unlike its sister tree located just across Franklin Street in a front lawn with plenty of soil to live in, this tree has struggled to thrive in its confined quarters between a cement sidewalk and a street and had become a hazard to drivers and pedestrians as it had started to drop chunks of branches, some landing on cars. Its time had come.

When this tree sprouted from its acorn, this was still Indian country. The squirrel who probably planted this tree nearly 250 years ago was just doing its job. When the area was surveyed, this tree’s diameter at breast height was 16 inches and was used as the “witness” tree from which much of this area was platted. On October 23rd that measurement was 169 inches. Just imagine all that this tree has been witness to! The Urban Forestry Commission along with the Landmarks Committee and city staff decided that we can’t just say goodbye to this historical treasure.

The City of Whitewater and its Urban Forestry Commission intend to honor this tree by keeping it as an active part of this community. When the Arboretum at Starin Park was proposed a few years ago, the designs included a natural play area that will be adjacent to the existing playground. When we started this project, we had no idea that the Territorial Oak would be coming down at this time. Next summer, parts of this tree will be used to create a natural playground at Starin Park.

Sections of the tree will be used to create different kinds of play spaces and signage will be located throughout the area to explain why these logs and “wooden boulders” have come to live in the park. There will be safe and interesting climbing, jumping and educational opportunities for many, many years to come as this tree continues to be a living part of Whitewater’s community.

Slices of the trunk will be used to create historical tree ring maps that will show the life of this tree from its beginning until now. They will chronicle historic events in line with the rings of the tree, showing its size at various points of its history and the history of our town and the world. These will be on display at Starin Park and also at the Walworth County Historical Society. Other slices will be used for signage at the Generac Welcome and Education Center at the Arboretum to honor the donors who’ve been essential to creating this arboretum, and at the local Historical Society at the Whitewater Depot.

The Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission is always grateful for volunteers who have skills that would be useful to our efforts both at continuing to build and maintain the plantings at the Arboretum, this playground project, or for other ideas that you have and would like to share. Contact the Parks and Recreation Department to get involved in our great community!

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

An article was published in The Gazette on October 26, titled “Police: Whitewater principal allegedly tackled student toilet-papering his home.” The alleged incident occurred at Whitewater High School Principal Brent Mansky’s home in Williams Bay and was investigated by that village’s police department.

According to the Gazette article, “The principal of Whitewater High School allegedly tackled a Williams Bay High School student and put him in a chokehold for toilet-papering his home, police records show. The students involved told police they had permission from Williams Bay High School to toilet paper designated houses in the neighborhood where Whitewater High School Principal Brent Mansky resides, as part of their Homecoming celebration on Sept. 21. They did not have permission to toilet-paper Mansky’s home….Mansky is also the former principal of Williams Bay High School…Mansky was not arrested….However, the incident has been forwarded to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office for review…The two students were both cited for attempted vandalism and trespassing.”

“…An officer who responded said Mansky reported in the past there’s been ‘kitchen condiments sprayed on his house, beer cans thrown resulting in damage to his siding and now this year toilet paper.’ ”

The Gazette article, which is considerably longer than the above quotes, may be found here.

Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty issued the following statement on behalf of the Whitewater Unified School District on October 27 in response to the media report:

“The Whitewater Unified School District conducted an investigation into the alleged incident
involving Whitewater High School Principal Brent Mansky on September 21 in Williams Bay.

Upon review of all the documentation and statements provided by the Williams Bay Police
Department and the Williams Bay School District, we have been able to confirm that only juveniles were issued citations related to the incident. Mr. Mansky was not cited.

Furthermore, based on the documentation, it is clear that the article published in a recent media
report did not contain all of the facts, important context and information surrounding the incident in question.

Our focus will continue to be on our students and staff. We will continue to give our students the best educational experience. Every Student, Every Day, In a Unified Way.”

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Public Library.

Community members are invited to read and discuss “Somewhere in the Unknown World,” a collection of powerful stories of refugees who have found new lives in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, told by the award-winning Hmong American author Kao Kalia Yang. In her exquisite, necessary telling, these fourteen stories of refugee journeys restore history and humanity to America’s strangers and redeem its long tradition of welcome.

A limited number of library copies are available for checkout at the front desk. Read in advance and then join us for a book discussion at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library (431 W. Center St., Whitewater) on Tuesday, November 7 at 5:30 p.m.

In addition, community members are invited to a book discussion and Q&A with the author on the UW-Whitewater campus. Virtual options are available. More information may be found at https://my.uww.edu/SignUp/Public/Register/17536.

Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.

We are in the Halloween Spirit for 2 Tuesdays in a Row, October 24 and 31!  Free Halloween Treats, too!!

“Hocus Pocus 2”
Tuesday, October 31, 1 PM
(Comedy/Family/Fantasy)
Rated PG. 1 hour, 43 minutes. (2022).

The misadventures continue as two young women accidentally bring the three Sanderson Sister witches back to life in Salem and must figure out how to stop these child-hungry witches in our modern day world.  The returning cast really camps it up!

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

A number of communities in south central Wisconsin move trick or treating to a weekend day when October 31 falls on a weekday. Fort Atkinson’s children will trick or treat this year on Sunday from 1-4 p.m., Palmyra’s on Saturday from 3:30-6:00 p.m., and Jefferson’s on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. For at least the past many years, however, Whitewater has always remained traditional with trick or treat on October 31 regardless of the day on which it falls. Again this year the hours will be 4-7 p.m.

How many readers remember growing up in a community where you wouldn’t have dreamt of going out trick or treating till it was nearly dark? (Was that ever the case in Whitewater?) This writer’s trick or treating curfew was 9 p.m., and the last doorbell was rung at about 8:55. Our city didn’t ever have to tell us when to trick or treat; Halloween was October 31, we started out when it was dusk, got home when our parents told us to, and a few mischievous kids took soap along!

Editor’s note: The following press release was issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting next month to discuss planned improvements to the WIS 106/County N intersection outside Fort Atkinson.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Town of Koshkonong Town Hall, located at W5609 Star School Road. WisDOT officials will be on hand to speak with the public and get feedback on the proposed improvements.

WisDOT intends to turn the intersection into a single-lane roundabout. Both State Highway 106 and County Highway N would be closed and detoured during the project. Work is set to begin in 2027.