News

Updated 6/9/25 @ 9:30 a.m. to add public notice for Landmarks Commission on Tuesday.
Updated 6/10/25 @ 3:35 p.m. to add school board special meeting on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for Sale of Alcohol by the
Drink located at 141 W Whitewater Street #B, Parcel Id # TR 00008 for Jessica Marks
d/b/a Waypoint Bar and Games.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/678316285
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 678-316-285
United States: +1 (571) 317-3112
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission Public Notice Re: Possible Quorum – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
This notice is given to inform the Public that the Landmarks Commission will be at the Hamilton House
to review with the owners the proposed wheelchair accessibility ramp. The information follows:
When: Monday, June 9, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Hamilton House, 328 W Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190
A quorum of the Landmarks Commission may be present. This notice is given to inform the public that
no formal action will be taken at this meeting. The event is open to the public. This notice is given to inform the Public that the Landmarks Commission will be at the Hamilton House to review with the owners the proposed wheelchair accessibility ramp.

City of Whitewater Equal Opportunities Commission – Tuesday @ 3:00 p.m.
Agenda
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84279670850?pwd=xgD5SbRxM11e4PbAPKclCNAf73lssf.1
Passcode:670334
Phone one-tap:
+16469313860,,84279670850#,,,,670334# US +19292056099,,84279670850#,,,,670334# US (New York)
Join via audio:
+1 646 931 3860 US
Webinar ID: 842 7967 0850
Passcode: 670334
International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbnkEmUNhq

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:15 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding the award of Contract 2-2025, 2025 Street
Maintenance Project and Discussion and Possible Action regarding Walworth Avenue and Prince Street intersection
safety ideas.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89700852359?pwd=B6DBgg3LHYsaH1pwW2f4W3FuZk7D4F.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US (Chicago) (Houston)
Webinar ID: 897 0085 2359
Passcode: 473266

City of Whitewater Board of Review – Tuesday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Open Book and opportunity to meet with the Board of Review to object property assessment
This document provides important information about the requirements for objecting.

Whitewater Unified School District School Board Special Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Virtual closed session “Specifically, to discuss and take action on the terms of the employment contract to be offered to the new superintendent.”

City of Whitewater Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission – Thursday @ 5:30 pm.
Agenda includes Discussion on existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and goals moving forward.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual participation, unforeseen
technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a
quorum. Should you wish to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number:
(262) 473-0108.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85714330388?pwd=CjRmjWRlaah98VuaLWvHV61DdRpwLi.1
Meeting ID: 857 1433 0388
Passcode: 568840 —
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,85714330388#,,,,*568840# US
Dial by your location: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Bethel’s Community Garden Project

One of the delights of spring is the opportunity to plant a garden. Gardens provide great food, physical and mental health benefits, and social connections to other gardeners. However, not everyone has the space for a garden, the time to tend to it from planting to harvest, or the experience to grow one. That’s where community gardens can be a valuable resource.

In 2024, a garden was planted at Bethel United Methodist Church, located on the corner of Hwy 12/67 and County Road A (www.ElkhornBethelUMC.org). The garden was planted on a piece of unused land at the church and provided beautiful flowers and produce which all community members and congregation members were encouraged to enjoy.

In 2025, with help from the gardening group Wisconsin Food Forests, this garden is being expanded. Wisconsin Food Forests (www.wisconsinfoodforests.com ) is an organization dedicated to establishing community gardens based on perennial plants
that will provide food for years to come.

The Bethel Garden sits on a half-acre behind the church building and will include an annual garden of flowers and vegetables, an herb garden, and a variety of perennial food-producing plants, from root crops to trees. It is an open space where all community members are encouraged to participate. Anyone can come maintain the garden, help themselves to flowers and produce, wander around, or just sit and read a book. We encourage sharing of the flowers and food grown there with all who visit. All surplus produce will go to the Elkhorn Food Pantry, while we hope to share flowers with those in local nursing homes, care facilities, and senior living complexes.

Our most recent planting day was Saturday, May 31, 2025, where Bethel members and community friends came together to share their hands, their hearts, and their green thumbs.

What is a food forest? Like a forest, food is grown from plants at different levels, including roots, ground cover, and herbaceous plants, as well as trees and shrubs. (From: https://www.fairamountfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest.html )

The expansion of the garden is fairly labor intensive for the first year. In subsequent years as the garden becomes dominated by perennials, we anticipate that it will become more self-sustaining by virtue of being relatively low maintenance, and by the collective participation of people in the community.

We are deeply grateful for the number of folks who have already stepped up to help get this garden established. We had our first planting day on May 3, 2025, and had 20 plus volunteers, including children, show up to help put in the primary plants of the food forest. Since then, we have planted more perennials and annuals, including the vegetable garden, pumpkins, and lot of flowers. If this project sounds intriguing to you, please contact us with any questions (or advice). Please spread the word to anyone who might be interested and feel free to share our contact information with them.

Contact info:
Diane Bustamante
Tim Middleton
Email: middlemante@genevaonline.com

Come see our garden grow, sit for a while to enjoy the progress, lend a hand, and/or get inspiration for your own gardens. We welcome and celebrate everyone’s participation. Need a reason to come? Bethel will host a Farmers Market & Faire on Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 10 AM – 2 PM – the perfect time to see what’s happening. All are welcome to join us for this special day.

To view prospectus and submit work click here.

Submission deadline is June 15.

Theme: Artistic works that capture the essence and aesthetics of life in Wisconsin.

Jurors for the 1st Annual Paint Wisconsin Exhibition:

Frank Juárez is an award-winning art educator, curator, and arts advocate based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Known for his commitment to elevating contemporary art and supporting Wisconsin artists, Juárez has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the Midwest Artist Studios Project and the 365 Artists 365 Days Project. In addition to his roles as publisher of Artdose magazine and editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine, Juárez has curated exhibitions and juried art shows throughout the Midwest. His dedication to art education and advocacy has earned him numerous accolades, making him a pivotal figure in Wisconsin’s art community.

Graeme Reid serves as the Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in West Bend. Originally from Scotland, Reid has curated over 100 exhibitions that celebrate Wisconsin’s artistic talent and cultural heritage. With a background in art history and education, he is also a respected writer, public speaker, and instructor. Reid’s extensive experience and dedication to the arts have established him as a leader in supporting and preserving Wisconsin’s rich artistic legacy.

Thomas Jewell is a renowned representational artist known for his vibrant landscapes, wildlife paintings ,and commissioned portraits. With decades of artistic experience, Jewell’s work has been featured in galleries, museums, and corporate collections across the United States. He is also a seasoned art educator, judge, and illustrator, having led workshops in drawing, watercolor, and acrylic painting. Jewell’s dedication to capturing nature and inspiring others through his art underscores his passion for creativity and community.

Visit Whitewater Arts Alliance for guidelines and online registration.

Walworth County Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, in collaboration with Aurora Lakeland Medical Center and Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth, is conducting a survey to hear more about what it is like to live, learn, work, and play in Walworth County.

The survey is a part of the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process. “We conduct this assessment every three years, as it helps us understand what community members in Walworth County need to
live healthier, happier, more connected lives. Participating in the survey gives individuals the opportunity to make their voices heard, and is an important part of this process,” says Walworth County Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom.

The Community Health Improvement Plan theme, Connecting Communities, emphasizes our collective ability to impact our community’s health and well-being through community partnerships and voice. “We now know that health is more than just
physical health, and is greatly impacted by socioeconomic factors, access to transportation, housing, environment, and much more,” says Bergstrom. “The assessment and improvement process address health across all factors that may influence our community’s well-being.”

Survey results will be used to identify needs, set goals, and work with community partners to improve the health and well-being of all who call Walworth County home. Focus groups will also be conducted with area organizations and community members
to learn more about the needs of Walworth County residents.

The Community Health Survey is available in English and Spanish until September 5. It’s voluntary, anonymous, and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Take the survey at https://bit.ly/WalCoCHA.

Daniel Portwine named to MSOE Dean’s List for Spring Semester 2025 .

MILWAUKEE, WI — Daniel Portwine, from Whitewater, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Dean’s List for the 2025 Spring Semester. Portwine is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

MSOE encourages excellence in academic achievement and, as a result, publishes the Dean’s List and Honors List each fall and spring semester. Students taking undergraduate courses who have earned at least 12 credits in residence at MSOE, are in good academic standing, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher are on the Dean’s List. Students on that list who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.” Students with a term GPA of 3.20 or higher, who are not on the Dean’s List, are on the Honors List.

Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,900 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald L. “Jerry” Danforth

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #265 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., June 7, 2025, in honor of former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald L. “Jerry” Danforth, who passed away on Sat., June 1, 2025, at the age of 78. “Chairman Danforth led the Oneida Nation with integrity, dedication, and a deep commitment to upholding and protecting Tribal sovereignty and culture,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I are sending our deepest condolences to Chairman Danforth’s family and loved ones and the Oneida Nation as they mourn his passing.” Born on the Oneida Reservation, Chairman Danforth served two terms as chairman of the Oneida Nation, first elected in 1999 and then returning as chairman in 2005. As chairman, Danforth prioritized Indian gaming interests and economic development, as well as issues around healthcare, higher education, Oneida language preservation, and expanding communication between the state and the Native Nations. Prior to his tenure as chairman, Danforth led a more than 30-year career in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1994 as the force master chief of the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Danforth also served the Oneida Judiciary as a judge.   Services for former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald L. “Jerry” Danforth will be held on Sat., June 7, 2025, in Oneida.

UW-Stevens Point undergraduates honored for scholastic achievement

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,400 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the spring semester of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation.  High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74.

Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are sent to those who earned highest honors distinction.

Students who received honors include:

Whitewater, WI

 Giovanni Anello, Honors
 Grace Black, High Honors

“Green and Gold”

Tuesday, June 10, 1 pm

(Drama/Family);

Rated PG; 1 hour, 45 minutes (2025). 

Foreclosure looms over a Wisconsin dairy farmer (Craig T. Nelson) with mounting debt and loss of the land his family has cultivated for four generations. With time running out, he places a daring Super Bowl bet on his beloved Green Bay Packers in a Hail Mary attempt to save the farm. Filmed in Door County, and at Lambeau Field. Also features Wayne Larrivee (radio voice of the Green Bay Packers) and LeRoy Butler.

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 out 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/