City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding 2025 Tree Sale: Amount to spend on trees, Making sure order contains more of what people are requesting and Discussion and revision of current Landscaping Guidelines policy. Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 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. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86768255089?pwd=8vA9L8CaBLakbMnrbB3NBf7RWI3SZd.1 Meeting ID: 867 6825 5089 Passcode: 695681 Dial +1 312 626 6799 US
Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Monday @ 6:15 p.m. Whitewater High School Library 435 South Elizabeth Street Agenda includes A. 458, School Wellness, B. 760, Food Services Management; 761, Free and Reduced-Price Benefits in School Food Service Programs; 763, School Meal Account Charges and Collections, C. Neola, D. Review Job Descriptions in the Job Description Handbook
Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 7:00 p.m. Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes Establish 2025-26 Regular and Special Education Open Enrollment Space Limitations and Park Board Budget Presentation – per WAC agreement Whitewater High School Library, 534 S. Elizabeth St. ———————————————– 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82261459987?pwd=aVZrWW12WHJIUmk3Zm9qTmkyb01jQT09 – Passcode: 141789 ———————————————- – Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799 – Webinar ID: 822 6145 9987 – Passcode: 141789
City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m. Agenda includes Sewer Backup Reimbursement Policy Review, and Costs to Maintain Municipal Parking Lots & Parking Permit Fees Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St *In Person and Virtual Virtual access information has not yet been provided as of 1/25/25.
City of Whitewater Public Arts Commission – Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of posting for Call for Artists. Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St *In Pe rson 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 the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/509745133 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 509-745-133 United States: +1 (408) 650-3123 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install
Portraits of dignity, diversity, and human experience showcased at Roberta’s Art Gallery
Celebrate diversity and personal connections through powerful portraits and still-life imagery with “Neighbors: Near and Far,” by three long-time friends Craig Ede, Dan Gamble, and Charlie Steinbrecher. This exhibit, honoring individual human dignity, is open from January 27 to March 3, with a reception on February 18, free and open to the public.
“Neighbors: Near and Far” showcases neighbors of all backgrounds and walks of life to highlight their uniqueness and strength. This exhibit includes digital and traditional drawings, including sketched portraits of neighbors arrested during one of the largest immigration raids in United States history at a meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, in 2008. It will also include abstract charcoal sketches capturing the curious perspective of human culture and conditions and graphite renderings honoring the friendship between artist Dan Gamble and his elderly, physically challenged neighbor.
“Generalizations are made in political discourse where people are defined as contagion because of their place of origin,” says Ede. “This limited metaphor inhibits our ability to see people as they really are. People are not germs; they contribute to the richness of our society; they are our neighbors, the people we experience life with. These works aim to highlight that.”
Craig Ede, Dan Gamble, and Charlie Steinbrecher are all spiritual neighbors. Ede, a local Whitewater resident, is an accomplished painter, writer, and visual design consultant. Throughout his career, Ede has joined his love for drawing with his respect for human dignity. Ede earned his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and has taught at UW-River Falls, UW-Whitewater, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After earning his MFA from the University of New Mexico, Dan Gamble lived in Chicago where he compiled an extensive exhibition record, showing work in numerous galleries and art venues. He has also worked as an art conservator and has taught at the Art Institute of Chicago. Gamble is currently rehabbing a bungalow in Mason City with the help of tools generously gifted by his neighbor, a Military Veteran, former farmer, and railroad mechanic. Charlie Steinbrecher, a painter, earned his MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and taught for 14 years at the Russell Sage College in Albany, NY. Steinbrecher is passionate about education and teaches English at a homeless shelter and to immigrants from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and Azerbaijan.
The exhibit reception will be held on Feb. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. and include an artist talk with Craig Ede and an audience Q&A from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by an open house with refreshments from 7 to 8 p.m.
Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center at 190 Hamilton Green Way, Whitewater, Wis. The gallery collaborates with campus departments, student organizations, and community artists to coordinate and sponsor exhibits. Our hours are Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gallery is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
At Roberta’s Art Gallery, we pride ourselves in providing free and open exhibits to the public, and attending certain events can earn students class credit. If you are interested in being featured in the gallery, please contact us for a proposal request. Reach us at ucart@uww.edu or 262-472-3193. Visit www.uww.edu/rag for any questions or inquiries and follow our Instagram @uww_rag. To learn more about Craig Ede’s work, follow him on Instagram @craig_ede. Follow Dan Gamble’s work at http://gambledan.com/ and connect with him on Instagram @gambledan0.
Auditions for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of The Wizard of Oz will be held on Monday, February 3rd at 4:00 pm at The Young Performing Arts Center, 800 W. Main Street, Whitewater. There are roles for those students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Approximately 50-60 local students will be cast to appear in the show. Up to four students will be cast as Assistant Directors. There is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play. Students wishing to audition must arrive by the scheduled starting time and stay for the entire two-hour session. The first rehearsal begins approximately 15-minutes after the audition.
This is a group audition–no advance preparation is necessary. Students should just be ready to come and have a good time!
Rehearsals will be conducted every day Monday, February 3rd through Friday, February 7th from 4:00 pm to 8:15 pm on the main stage at The Young Performing Arts Center. Although not all cast members will be needed at every session, those auditioning must have a cleared schedule for the entire week and if selected, be able to attend all rehearsals required for their role and be available for the performance. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the auditions. Cast members scheduled for the full 4 hours and 15 minutes will be asked to bring a sack lunch, dinner or snack to be eaten during the 15-minute break between sessions.
The performance will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm and will be presented at The Young Performing Arts Center.
The Missoula Children’s Theatre is a non-profit organization based in Missoula, Montana. This coming year more than 65,000 cast members across the globe will take to the stage to the delight and applause of their families, friends, community, neighbors and teachers! This residency is made possible by The Young Performing Arts Center.
“January is Presidential: the month of the Inauguration (January 20) features biographical dramatizations of two American Presidents.”
“Reagan”
Tuesday, January 28, 1 PM
(Period Drama/Biography)
Rated PG-13; 2 hours, 21 minutes (2024).
Based on the life of Ronald Reagan, from his childhood, through his Hollywood career, to his time in the Oval Office. Starring Dennis Quaid, Penelope Ann Miller, Jon Voight, Pat Boone.
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 our 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/
UW-Stevens Point undergraduates honored for scholastic achievement
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,600 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the fall 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.
Donald LeRoy Klemp, 76, of Columbus, WI passed away on January 20, 2025 at Columbus Health & Rehab.
Don was born March 21, 1948 in Edgerton, WI to Richard and Elsie Klemp of Milton, WI. Don graduated from Milton Union High School in 1966 and later graduated from a technical school in Denver, Colorado which eventually led to a 31-year career as a field service engineer with GE Medical Systems.
Don married the love of his life, Kathleen Gudeyon, on July 27, 1968 in Whitewater, WI and they enjoyed 56 years of making beautiful memories together. Don was a devoted family man who enjoyed taking his family on camping trips, spending time out on the lake, working on projects in the garage or fixing anything that needed it for family, neighbors, and friends.
Don is survived by his wife Kathy; his five children, Krista (Brian), Suzanne (Chris), Daniel, David and Richard; as well as 6 grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his parents Richard and Elsie and his brother, David.
Funeral Services will take place at 11AM on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Willerup Church in Cambridge. Visitation will take place from 10AM until the time of service. A burial will take place immediately following services at Kroghville Cemetery.
The family would like to give special thanks to Columbus Health & Rehab staff for their exceptional care for Don.
Don will be missed by all that knew him, but his legacy will live on through his family and friends.
UW-Whitewater gymnastics named their meet in Kris Russell Volleyball Arena in Williams Center against Simpson College on January 18 in honor of Kara Welsh. An incoming senior from Plainfield, Illinois, Welsh was allegedly killed on August 30 in a shooting in a downtown apartment by another student with whom she had a relationship. Welsh was the 2023 national champion in the vault. She was also a two-time WIAC Champion in the vault, tying the program record in 2024.
In advance of the meet, Jennifer Regan, head coach said, “As Warhawk gymnastics begins a new season, Kara Welsh is in our hearts and minds. She was a positive light and a source of inspiration for everyone who knew her. We plan to honor Kara and her legacy inside the gym and out, by supporting one another and pursuing excellence in a sport that we love. This season is for her.”
According to a report on WMTV, “during the meet members of the Whitewater team and fans wore customized t-shirts with the words ‘for her,’ in honor of Kara.” The video from WMTV may be viewed here.
Previous articles on The Whitewater Banner regarding Welsh and the shooting may be found here and here.
Editor’s Note: The following interview was done by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL).
Kyong was born in Uljin in the Kyung-Buk Province of South Korea, a small town like Whitewater, where everyone knew everyone.
Her older sister came to the United States in 1982 to open a grocery store and then later run a hotel in Washington State. Kyong was seven at the time. In 1990, her sister sponsored their mom to come to the U.S., and then her mom was able to get her green card and sponsor Kyong just before Kyong turned 21. In the interview at the American Embassy in South Korea, the Korean American agent who interviewed her wanted to make sure Kyong’s mom could support herself and Kyong financially.
“I understood that because I felt that if you come to the U.S., you should be able to support yourself and not expect a free ride,” said Kyong.
For two years, Kyong lived by herself in South Korea – both her sister and her mom were in the U.S. During that time, she attended the English Institute to learn English in preparation for her move to the U.S.
Kyong received her green card one month after arriving. She spent her time learning to drive and working at her sister’s grocery store. She later attended the local community college to learn more English. She was able to take her general education requirements so that she could attend Washington State University.
When she became a U.S. citizen in 1997, she was required to give up her South Korean citizenship. While it was difficult to give up citizenship in her homeland, it was imperative to Kyong that she do so. She needed to be able to vote and make her voice heard, so becoming a U.S. Citizen was crucial.
Kyong Pyun was awarded the Red Apple Award from DECA for her excellence in advising.
She lived in the dorms on campus at Washington State University and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel Merchandising and Textile with a minor in Business.
“I knew I had to study and work hard to get an education. My mother moved to the U.S. at age 60 so I could get an education,” said Kyong. She knew how important the education was for her mom and how much she sacrificed to support her.
Sleeping only a few hours each night, Kyong attended school and worked at a fast-food restaurant and dining halls.
Kyong’s advisor recommended that Kyong continue on to graduate school for her degree. She was a teaching assistant and taught four classes as an instructor while earning her Master’s Degree in Apparel Merchandising and Textiles.
Kyong met her husband, Praveen Parboteeah, at the university, and they married during her senior year. At the same time, Praveen was in the process of earning his PhD in Business.
Kyong’s first job after graduation was at a department store in Moscow, Idaho. There, she was in charge of 50 staff, many of whom had worked there for 20 or more years, making it challenging for a young leader.
Once Praveen was hired at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Kyong could stay home with their daughter and work as a freelancer, writing instructor manuals for International Business, International Management, and Business Ethics textbooks.
Kyong’s move to Whitewater was a shock. “I had more cultural shock from the move to Whitewater from Washington than I did with the move from South Korea to Washington.” She said everyone knew everyone, so it was hard to integrate and make friends at first.
But Kyong and Praveen eventually made lifelong friends in Whitewater. “Whitewater is a great place to raise kids. It is safe, and everyone knows everyone is not a bad thing when you are raising kids,” she said.
Twenty-five years later, Kyong and Praveen still live in Whitewater and have raised two children. Alisha graduated from UW-Madison, and Davin is currently attending.
“The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has treated Praveen well, and our family has thrived here,” said Kyong.
After the instructor-manual job ended, Kyong pondered pursuing a PhD, but one of her friends, Sara Coleman, who is also a teacher at the public school in Whitewater, asked her to consider being a substitute teacher. Kyong then earned her license and was a substitute teacher for five years, helping to fill an important need in the schools.
By then, Kyong had a good grasp of the public school system in the U.S., which is very different from that in South Korea. In South Korea, the goal of Korean-based learning was primarily memorizing for test-taking. Kyong prefers the U.S. version of public schools, where the focus is more on learning and student growth than memorizing.
During her five years as a substitute teacher, she felt she could better help and support students as a full-time teacher. Most importantly, she saw a need for a minority teacher, so she earned her second Master’s in Business Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021 and has taught Business Education at Badger High School in Lake Geneva ever since.
At Badger High School, she is known for her high standards and tough classes, but students know she provides continuous support and is there for them.
Although it is a tough profession, teaching at high school, Kyong feels very rewarded when students show their appreciation by stopping by and sending her cards and emails, especially from her former students. She shared one of the emails that she got from her former students. He credits Kyong with his success. He wrote in the email, “I’m currently attending Gateway, and I’m pursuing an associate’s degree in Business management. You are part of why I felt confident enough to attend college and pursue this degree. I also just finished my first semester with As and Bs, which I never thought I’d be capable of achieving. Without your encouragement and support, I never thought I would be good enough to go to college.” Kyong also said he was the first in his family to attend college.
She is also an advisor for the DECA, a business organization that prepares student leaders and entrepreneurs for marketing, finance, hospitality, and management careers. She recently won the Red Apple Award for her excellence in advising. A Badger High School site said, “This (Red Apple Award) is given to advisors who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to students at the local level.”
Determination, hard work, and perseverance drove Kyong to success, and she continues to pass those qualities on to her students.
Get ready to hit the field! The Quad County League is excited to announce the 2025 Youth Baseball and Softball Recreation Program. This program provides a fantastic opportunity for kids to stay active, learn new skills, and build friendships while enjoying America’s favorite pastime.
Program Details: The Quad County League includes teams from surrounding communities, offering opportunities for players at the following grade levels:
2nd Grade Softball (participating in the Windmill League, based in Lake Mills)
3rd & 4th Grade Baseball
5th & 6th Grade Baseball
7th & 8th Grade Baseball
Key Information:
Practices: Held twice a week in April and at least once a week during the May season.
Games: Approximately 12 regular-season games, culminating in an end-of-season league tournament (typically the third week of July).
Sessions: Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM (based on availability).
Baseball & Softball:
Included Gear: Players receive a hat/visor, jersey, and drawstring bag.
What to Bring: Players must purchase their own pants, and baseball cleats are recommended (no metal spikes allowed).
Teamwork and Development: Kids will develop social skills, learn to work as a team, and compete in a supportive environment.
Focus on Fun and Learning: Young players will learn the basics of the game, improve their skills, and have fun working with teammates.
Included Gear: Players receive a shirt (baseball cleats are optional).
Registration Deadline: May 16, 2025 How to Register: Visit www.wwparks.org to sign up today!
Volunteers Needed: A successful season depends on the support of volunteer coaches. If you’re passionate about helping kids learn and grow, consider becoming a coach for the season!
Don’t miss this opportunity to get your child involved in a fun and enriching program. Let’s make this season a home run!
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
This week is another snowy winter view, this time of Main Street looking at the south side of the east block of the downtown. Note the old-fashioned snow shovel in the foreground and the man with his dog to the right. Although somewhat remodeled, all of the buildings shown in this c.1910 photograph are still standing. The building on the corner is the old First National Bank, later First Citizens State Bank, located here until the 1950s.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
