It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is one donated by the Leffingwell family. This donation was of photos from Halverson’s and Leffingwell’s men’s store. It shows a mid-20th century holiday float. Clearly it celebrates Santa and his reindeer, perhaps pulling a special hut where kids could visit Santa, but also wishes people a happy new year.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
The Landmarks Commission of Whitewater is taking a significant step toward determining the future of the iconic Starin Park Water Tower. Following a non-binding referendum presented to voters, the results revealed 44% support for saving the tower and 56% opposing the use of taxpayer funds for restoration.
The question posed to voters on the November 5th ballot was: “The City of Whitewater Water Utility has decommissioned the Starin Park Water Tower, meaning it is no longer part of the water system. The Water Utility can spend up to $600,000 (the cost of demolition) to maintain it as a City-owned Historical Landmark. The remaining costs, approximately $1,000,000 for repairs and $250,000 every 10 years for maintenance, would need to come from City tax dollars or donations. Should the City of Whitewater use tax dollars to repair and maintain the Starin Park Water Tower?”
The City Manager recommended that the matter be referred to the Landmarks Commission. Recognizing the water tower’s historical, cultural, and economic significance, the Common Council chose to follow the recommendation of the City Manager and refer the matter to the Landmarks Commission. The Common Council instructed the Landmarks Commission to report back to the Council with a plan on how best to proceed regarding the Water Tower by May of 2025.
The Landmarks Commission met on December 4th to discuss the non-binding referendum results and how best to proceed via the Common Council’s direction. The Commission has decided to establish a community committee to gather feedback and explore the best course of action for the structure.
This landmark has significant historical, cultural and economic significance. Due to there being such a large impact on our community, the commission felt that it was best to have community feedback as they proceed. Katy Wimer, the director of content and communications for Discover Whitewater notes its significance: “Over the years, the Starin Park Water Tower has become one of a few central figures in Whitewater’s story, drawing visitors and history enthusiasts looking to explore Wisconsin’s historical sites and intrigued by its spiritualism lore. The tower’s popularity has grown significantly in recent years due to Whitewater Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Spirit Tour, making Whitewater a must-visit destination, especially for travelers who want a taste of history mixed with a bit of the supernatural. These visitors don’t just come for the day—they book overnight stays in our hotels and patronize our local restaurants, shops, and other businesses. The tower is a true economic asset to Whitewater and can be an even greater asset in supporting local tourism if maintained well and appreciated for what it represents beyond its original use.”
The Landmarks Commission will be developing a range of options, including preservation, fundraising, or alternative uses for the tower, while actively seeking community input through the newly formed committee.
The Commission is committed to reporting its recommendations to the Common Council by May 2025.
Community members interested in participating or sharing ideas are encouraged to contact the Landmarks Commission at 262-473-0149.
Together, we can ensure that the Starin Park Water Tower continues to inspire and contribute to the story of Whitewater for generations to come.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the City of Whitewater.
TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) is proud to support the Bethel House as part of the company’s third annual Week of Giving campaign.
One of the company’s core values is giving back to the communities it serves. Last week, themed TDS Cares giving events were held throughout the company’s service areas, including in Whitewater. Events included Cyber/STEM Monday, Giving Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, and Food Bank Friday.
On Wednesday, a dozen TDS associates presented a $2,500 donation and contributed a total of 36 volunteer hours to help the Bethel House continue its mission of preventing homelessness for local children and families.
“The TDS Week of Giving campaign is centered around supporting organizations that make our communities strong. We’re proud to donate more than $100,000 to local charities and organizations across the country, and we hope to inspire others to join us in giving back this holiday season,” said Drew Petersen, TDS Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs.
TDS Cares initiatives occur throughout the year and through the Be Good Citizens program, TDS provides associates with 16 hours of paid time off every year to volunteer at the 501c3 organization of their choice.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Cold Weather Advisory from 10 p.m. on Wednesday to 10 a.m. on Thursday. They indicate that “The combination of air temperatures in the low single digits to negative single digits and wind gusts between 35 to 40 mph will lead to wind chills as low as -25 degrees. Wind chills will be the worst between Midnight and 8AM Thursday.”
The former Wind Chill Advisories are now being called “Cold Weather Advisories.” Such an advisory is issued when the wind chill is anticipated to be at least -20 degrees F. It appears that much of Rock and Walworth Counties will barely miss falling to that level, and consequently the advisory is not being extended to them – but it will still be very cold.
In an announcement dated December 6, Kim McDarison, the editor and sole employee of WhitewaterWise indicated that the online publication, together with Fort Atkinson Online, will be placed on “indefinite pause with the close of 2024.” McDarison stated that, “The pause is a result of life-related changes which require a reallocation of time…” by herself. She thanked the many individuals who have contributed to the site, including freelancers as well as the readers and advertisers. It was indicated that archived articles will remain available for an undetermined period, although advertisements will be removed at the end of the year.
Raised in New England and a 1986 graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Kim McDarison indicated in an earlier release that she wanted to be a journalist from the time she was nine. While in college, she earned a bachelor of business administration (BBS) degree, with a concentration in MIS (management information systems), and a minor in journalism. In the early 2000’s she served as the editor of the Whitewater Register, and since that time her work has been published in many area newspapers, including the Daily Jefferson County Union.
McDarison founded Fort Atkinson Online four years ago, and having also had a longtime interest in Whitewater, that publication increasingly provided news from our city. She launched WhitewaterWise in the summer of 2023 and has devoted a great deal of time providing extensive coverage of Common Council and School Board meetings, together with other news and events.
We are certain that we join many in the community in thanking Kim for her contributions to keeping Whitewater informed. Her publications will be missed, and we wish her well on her future endeavors.
Written by Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Universities of Wisconsin honor achievements of LGBTQ+ advocates and their allies through 2024 awards
13 honorees of 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People
The Universities of Wisconsin have announced the 13 honorees of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People, an annual honor given to LGBTQ+ people or their allies who have helped to create a safer and more inclusive climate for LGBTQ+ people. The award celebrates the memory and legacy of Dr. Paula B. Poorman, a highly regarded faculty member at UW-Whitewater dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
This year marks the 16th anniversary of the founding of the Dr. P.B. Poorman Award. The recipients of the award were honored on December 4, 2024, in Madison during a ceremony hosted by the Universities of Wisconsin. The awards ceremony and reception was held in conjunction with the Universities of Wisconsin presentation of the Outstanding Women of Color in Education Awards.
“Honorees are helping build a better experience for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “This award recognizes their achievements in creating a safer and inclusive climate at our universities.”
The honorees of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People are:
Dr. Rae Langes (UW-Eau Claire) Assistant Professor of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Dr. William Dirienzo (UW-Green Bay) Chair of Physics, Associate Professor
Dr. Víctor Macías-González(UW-La Crosse) Professor of History and Advocate, Author
Dr. Scott Seyforth (UW-Madison) Assistant Director of Residence Life for University Housing
Nathan Sheppard (UW-Milwaukee) Clinical Case Manager for Student Health and Wellness Center
Carmen Hetzel (UW-Oshkosh) Program Advisor for Student Organization and Leadership Programs
Ren Griffith (UW-Parkside) Undergraduate Student, Genders and Sexualities Advocacy Center Advocate
Isabelle Emerson (UW-Platteville) Undergraduate Student, Vice President of The Alliance
Dr. Michelle Parkinson (UW-River Falls) Professor of English Literature and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Trescha Kay (UW-Stevens Point) Speech Language Pathologist, Clinical Assistant Professor
Fred Jomo Brown (UW-Stout) LGBTQIA+ Program Manager
Melinda Yingling (UW-Superior) Housing Coordinator, Free Mom Hugs Area Coordinator
Dr. Ellie Schemenauer (UW-Whitewater) Associate Professor and Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies Department
Each UW university was invited to select one individual to receive the award, which highlights each recipient’s contributions to advocacy, activism, or scholarship that enhances the experiences of, and improves the climate for, LGBTQ+ people.
Jeffrey is a Whitewater native, born in 1976, and an accomplished singer/songwriter. Per Wikipedia, Foucault lives in New England with his wife, fellow musician and songwriter Kris Delmhorst.[2]He has upcoming shows in the Midwest, including a show at the Stoughton Opera House on Thursday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Admission is $30; streaming is available for $20. The following night he appears at Cactus Club in Milwaukee. It is a standing room only, age 18+ venue. Advance tickets are $20, day of show $25. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and the show begins at 10.
The following is from the Stoughton Opera House website:
NEW YORK TIMES: “Immaculately tailored… Sometimes his songs run right up to the edge of the grandiose and hold still, and that’s when he’s best… Close to perfection”
DON HENLEY: “Jeffrey Foucault… clocks modern culture about as good as I’ve ever heard anybody clock it”
THE NEW YORKER: “Jeffrey Foucault sings stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest”
In two decades on the road Jeffrey Foucault has become one of the most distinctive voices in American music, refining a sound instantly recognizable for its simplicity and emotional power. With a string of critically acclaimed studio albums– “Stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest” (The New Yorker), “Beat-up troubadour folk whittled to dolorous perfection” (Uncut), “Songwriting Brilliance,” (Irish Times)– he’s built a brick-and-mortar international touring career and a devoted following, one that includes luminaries like Van Dyke Parks, Greil Marcus, and Don Henley. In September of 2024 Jeffrey Foucault will release The Universal Fire (Fluff & Gravy, 9/6/24), his first album of entirely new material since 2018.
A series of high-voltage performances cut live in one room, the album is both a working wake– Foucault lost his best friend and drummer Billy Conway, to cancer in 2021– and a meditation on the nature of beauty, artifact, and loss. Augmenting Foucault’s all-star band with members of Calexico and Bon Iver (drummer John Convertino and producer/saxophonist Mike Lewis) THE UNIVERSAL FIRE sets Conway’s death against the massive 2008 fire at the Universal Studios lot in California that destroyed the master recordings of some of our bedrock American music, to interrogate ideas about mortality, legacy, meaning, and calling.
This December and January, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland is making it easier than ever for girls and families to join the Girl Scout Movement. For a limited time, families can sign up youth in grades kindergarten through 12th grade for Girl Scouts at a special rate of just $5—unlocking a world of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
Girl Scouts offers unmatched experiences for girls to discover their passions, build life skills, and make new friends. From outdoor adventures to STEM activities, community service projects, and creative expression, Girl Scouts equips girls with the tools they need to lead with courage, confidence, and character.
“There’s no better time to join Girl Scouts,” said Lisa Smith, CEO of Badgerland Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts builds confident, resilient leaders who shape the future. Through unmatched opportunities in STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and life skills, Girl Scouts empowers girls to break barriers, embrace challenges, and create lasting change in their communities and beyond. It’s not just a program – it’s an experience that transforms lives and equips them to lead with courage, confidence, and character. This $5 membership is a wonderful way to start their journey!”
This special membership promotion runs December through January 31 and is open to all new youth members. With troop opportunities throughout the community, Girl Scouts is ready to welcome new members and help them kick off their year with confidence, friendship, and adventure.
Top 5 Reasons to Join Girl Scouts Now:
Participate in the famous Cookie Program starting this February and build skills like confidence and goal-setting.
Gain early registration access to amazing summer camps packed with unforgettable outdoor experiences.
Explore passions and develop skills through STEM activities, creative projects, and community service opportunities.
Build true friendships in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Be accepted for who you are and discover your strengths in a space that celebrates individuality.
To learn more or to sign up for joining Girl Scouts: www.gsbadgerland.org or call 800.236.2710
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We Are Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland Badgerland serves 23 counties through south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges— whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Kateřina Hartlová from Pixabay.
Are you considering a change for your farm or ag business? Or maybe you have an issue that needs to be addressed to improve your business and you are not sure how to get started on that planning. Navigating Your Ag Business: From Stress to Success is a new UW-Madison Division of Extension online course that will provide you strategies to answer these three questions:
Where are you now?
Where do you want to be?
How do you get there?
Navigating Your Ag Business: From Stress to Success combines online self-paced learning activities with live online group meetings, fostering a supportive peer community while collaborating with facilitators. The course starts on January 1, 2025, with the first live Zoom meeting scheduled for January 28, 2025, from 6:00 – 7:30 PM Central Time. The self-paced learning continues through April with opportunities for group and personalized meetings with facilitators throughout the remainder of the course. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Prioritize their current unique stressors
Select which financial camp they are in
Develop a vision and goals for their farm and family
Design an action plan to address their identified stressor and reach their vision and goals
Space is limited for this session that starts in January. Multiple farm members are encouraged to participate and attend the live sessions. It would be helpful for participants to register by December 13, 2024, so that materials can be mailed to them prior to January 1. However, we will accept registrations until the class is full. [In the future the course will cost $150, but support from a grant is covering the cost this time.] To learn more about the course and to register go to go.wisc.edu/NYAB Direct any questions to Joy Kirkpatrick, Farm Management Outreach Specialist, joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu 608.263.3485.
This program is a partnership between UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Farm Management Program and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection’s Farm Center. The development of this program was supported by USDA/NIFA under award numbers 2020-70028-32728 and 2024-70028-43552.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by UW Division of Extension. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay.
