Register today for our hands on course covering Stop the Bleed and First Aid! Registration links [open until May 5] are listed below.
Individual Registration: https://secure.rec1.com/WI/whitewater-wi/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM2Mzc1MTQ=
Group Registration: https://secure.rec1.com/WI/whitewater-wi/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM2Mzc1NDc=
Robert Andrae Mischka
October 31, 1934 – April 13, 2025
Robert of Whitewater died at home April 13, 2025. He was born in Milwaukee on October 31, 1934 to Zaner and Helen (Burrill) Mischka. He attended Burlington High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1956 with a BBA degree in accounting.
Robert married his high school sweetheart, Mary Margaret Wanasek of Burlington in 1954. Together they had 7 sons, two of which died as infants. After college they moved to Pittsburgh, Pa. where Robert spent 7 years working as an accountant for the U S Steel Corp. They returned to Wisconsin in 1966 and settled in rural Whitewater where Robert lived until he died. Soon after he returned to Wisconsin, he became the Treasurer of Norwood Mills, a synthetic fabric manufacturer in Janesville. Eight years later Norwood was sold and relocated. He was always interested in photography, so he started a new career taking photos at high school sports games and at midwestern horse shows which he continued until his death.
Mary died suddenly in 1997 while they were taking pictures at a horse show in Vermont. Their fifth son, Justin Phillip, died in 2003. Robert is survived by 4 sons: David Paul (Yvonne) in Sun Prairie, Peter Louis of Whitewater, Thomas Robert (Laura) of Appleton and Joseph Edward (Susan) of Cedar Rapids — and by 6 grandchildren, Jennifer, Jacob, Joseph, Jacqueline, Justine and Margaret.
Robert’s ashes will rest alongside those of Mary in the St. Charles cemetery in Burlington. At Robert’s request there will be no services. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Cravath Lakefront Park Community Center, 341 S. Fremont St., Whitewater, WI 53190.
Memorial donations in Robert’s memory may be sent to Dairyland Driving Club Treasurer, 106 E Park St, Westfield, WI 53964.
Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
Greetings from UW-Whitewater Department of Theatre/Dance!
The last theatre production of the 2024/25 season is right around the corner, and we are pleased to offer volunteer opportunities! UW-Whitewater’s Department of Theatre/Dance is holding a production of NO EXIT in the Hicklin Studio Theatre on April 25, 26, 27 and May 1, 2, 3. We have volunteer spots open for ushers at the event. Ushers play a crucial role in creating a positive experience for our guests. This opportunity is open to all.
Ushering is a great way to support UW-Whitewater students and the future of theatre and dance. Plus, you can see the show for free!
Duties of an usher include: greeting guests and guiding them to their seats, scanning tickets, and helping monitor in-house distractions.
Ushers are expected to arrive one hour prior to the event in professional attire. View the link for more details or to sign up now.
Where to report: Ushers will come to the Hicklin Studio Theatre (down the ramp next to the Crossman Gallery) and report to the Audience Services Director (House Manager) once they arrive.
If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Turner, Director of Events and Marketing, at turnerj@uww.edu.
We hope to see you there!
| Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Remembrance of His Holiness Pope Francis |
| Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #257 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on Mon., April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The president of the United States has directed that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds in honor of Pope Francis until sunset on the day of his interment. “Pope Francis was not only an inspirational spiritual leader, but a champion for the environment, peace, the pursuit of unity through common ground, treating people with dignity, reducing poverty and greed, and shared responsibility through community,” said Gov. Evers. “His passing is a loss for followers of the Catholic faith and many people around the world. Consistent with the president’s order, Wisconsin will join in lowering the flags in honor of Pope Francis’ legacy and memory.” |
Some months ago, the Whitewater Cinemas had reduced their hours to just weekends; however, now the theater is open every day except for Monday, with extra hours during the day. There’s a Tuesday special with $5 admission for all showings.
The Whitewater Banner provides a “helpful link” on our website to the cinemas’ website: helpful links/entertainment & fun/whitewatercinemas
Thursday, April 24, 5-7 p.m.
St. John’s Masonic Lodge, 226 W. Main St, Whitewater
$15 Adults, $5 Children <12 yrs
Dine in or Carry-out
Roast Pork Loin, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Corn, Applesauce, Dessert
Fort HealthCare is very honored to accept two Top Workplaces awards: the 2025 Top Workplaces award by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and, for the fifth year in a row, the 2025 Top Workplaces USA award by USA Today.
“Fort HealthCare is an exemplary place to work. To receive numerous Top Workplaces awards the past several years is a testament to the culture we have instilled and nurtured,” Michael Anderson, MD, President and CEO of Fort HealthCare, remarked. “We are extremely proud of our Fort HealthCare employees. They are responsible for contributing to and sustaining the
supportive workplace environment we have.”
Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have positive work cultures. More than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Award winners are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee-engagement survey issued by Energage. The confidential survey measures the unique employee experience and reveals the strengths of Fort HealthCare’s culture, including how engaged, valued, respected, and supported employees feel.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together. TM
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark
available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.
About Fort HealthCare
Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. Please visit FortHealthCare.com for more information.
A previous article in The Whitewater Banner indicated that Lettsew K9 Foundation is dissolving after five years of fundraising for Jefferson County K9s and the surrounding area. Lettsew K9 is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. LETTSEWK9
FOUNDATION stands for Law Enforcement Training Teams of Southeastern Wisconsin.
LETTSEWK9 shared the following story and photos from their Facebook page.
“Yesterday was a very bittersweet day…..
“The mission of Lettsew is to support canines in law enforcement and educate the communities they serve and protect.”
Our local K9s are trained to assist in
—explosive detection
—narcotic detection
—suspect apprehension
—searching for suspects and missing persons
—crowd control and building searches.
These small K-9 units have always been “FOR the community, BY the community, which means they are not taxpayer funded.
Through Lettsew’s hard work and dedication we were able to present each K9 and handler with a check in the amount of $5,550, totaling $55,500!!!!! This achievement is something that we, as a very small nonprofit, are extremely proud of. It has been an honor to provide funds to these units for various expenses, including individual and group trainings, vet bills, emergency services, dental bills, training drugs, dog food, protective vests, leashes, reward toys, treats, etc.
We are truly blessed to have these dedicated teams in our communities. Thank you for all that you do to keep us safe.”
Officer Lawrence and K9 Smitty from Fort Atkinson with Melanie Lynn Crandall
Program Helps People with Type 2 Diabetes, Pre-Diabetes
More than 100 million adults in the U.S. are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While that statistic is startling, there is good news. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes can improve their health by joining a Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop sponsored by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County and Aurora Health Care. The program has been researched and proven to improve the health of adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
In just six weekly sessions, Healthy Living with Diabetes gives participants strategies for managing diabetes, including techniques to deal with symptoms and information about healthy eating, appropriate medication use, exercise, and working effectively with health care providers. Participants learn to make realistic, achievable action plans, share their experiences, and help each other solve problems.
Healthy Living with Diabetes will be held on Tuesdays, from April 29 to June 3, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building at 1910 County Road NN Elkhorn, WI. The workshop has a suggested contribution of $10.
For questions or to register for the program, contact Edie Africano, Health Promotion Coordinator, at 262-741-3309.
About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the ADRC of Walworth County.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The four Common Councilmembers who were elected in the spring election were installed at the April 15 council meeting that was held at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. City Clerk Heather Boehm administered the Oath of Office. Patrick Singer, beginning his eighth full term, was elected as president of the body.
There was a brief period in early 2024 when the majority of the council was female: Brienne Brown, Jill Gerber, Carol McCormick and Lisa Dawsey Smith were serving. It would seem that might have been the first time in city history when that occurred. (If anyone knows otherwise, please advise the Banner.) Today, however, all seven members are male. No females chose to run for an open seat in the April election.
Photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Michael Smith was installed by City Clerk Heather Boehm for his first term as Aldermanic District 1 Councilmember.
Steven Sahyun was installed for his first term on the Common Council representing Aldermanic District 3.
Neil Hicks was installed for his second term representing the 5th Aldermanic District.
Patrick Singer, who most recently served as the Aldermanic District 1 Councilmember, assumed his at-large role.