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Gov. Evers and First Lady Invite Military Families to Share Ornaments for 2024 Tribute to Our Troops Tree at Executive Residence

Gov. Tony Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers invite the public to contribute ornaments for this year’s “Tribute to Our Troops” holiday tree at the Executive Residence. “The ‘Tribute to Our Troops’ tree is a tradition Kathy and I have been glad to continue these last six years as part of our annual holiday celebrations at the Wisconsin Executive Residence,” said Gov. Evers. “Especially over the holiday season, we should honor the incredible contributions of our state’s veteran and military communities, and thanks to the creativity and care of the folks and families who send in an ornament honoring their loved ones and military heroes, I know that this year will be another success.” The Tribute to Our Troops Tree tradition began in 2005 and honors Wisconsin service members who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Ornaments can be sent in honor of Wisconsin service members, past and present, in Wisconsin and abroad. The invitation is open to families of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard members. All ornaments are welcome and can be personalized to honor fallen service members, those who are deployed overseas this holiday season, and all who wear the uniforms of the nation’s armed forces. Please note that ornaments will not be returned to senders.    To be included as part of this year’s “Tribute to Our Troops” tree, ornaments must be received no later than Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at:   SFC Liam Walsh 6001 Manufacturers Dr. Madison, WI 53704 The ornaments will be displayed at the Executive Residence throughout the month of December. The ornaments and the “Tribute to Our Troops” tree can be viewed as part of the residence’s holiday tours. As space is limited, individuals interested in a tour must pre-register to attend. More information is available on the Wisconsin Executive Residence website here. Residence tours will be available during the following dates and times:  Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.   Tuesday, Dec. 10, 12 p.m.-2 p.m.  Thursday, Dec. 12, 12 p.m.-2 p.m.  Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.  Tuesday, Dec. 17, 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 12 p.m.-2 p.m.

Gov. Evers Order Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former State Rep. Fred Kessler

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #243 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Nov. 16, 2024, in honor of former Wisconsin State Rep. Fred Kessler, who passed away on Tues., Nov. 12, 2024, at the age of 84. “Having dutifully served the Milwaukee community both on the bench and in the Legislature, Rep. Kessler led a long, distinguished career of public service, and he was a tireless advocate for the people he served,” said Gov. Evers. “His legacy will live on through his countless accomplishments on behalf of the Milwaukee community, and Kathy and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, community members, and all those who knew and worked alongside him in mourning this loss.” Former Rep. Kessler was born in Milwaukee and received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1960, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly as the youngest person to serve in the Wisconsin State Legislature at that time and represented the 10th Milwaukee Assembly District from 1961 to 1963 and 1965 to 1972, and later the 12th Assembly District from 2005 to 2019. Former Rep. Kessler also served as a Milwaukee County Judge from 1972 to 1978 and a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge from 1978 to 1981 and 1986 to 1988. During his 12 terms in office, former Rep. Kessler was a dedicated public servant and advocate on behalf of the people he served, working on legislation related to public education, civil liberties, fair housing, LGBTQ rights, freedom of speech, personal privacy, and redistricting reforms. In addition to his years of public service as an elected official, former Rep. Kessler was active in the Milwaukee community, serving civil and human rights groups, including as president of the Milwaukee ACLU Chapter and chairman of Amnesty International Group 107, and German language and heritage groups, including as president of Goethe House. Services for former Rep. Kessler will be held on Sat., Nov. 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.

Whitewater High School Class of 1961 Partners with Whitewater Arts Alliance to Launch Fundraiser for 2025 Paint Wisconsin-Marilyn Fuerstenberg Legacy during annual 2024 Members’ Exhibition

Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA), in partnership with the Whitewater Senior High Class of 1961 is proud to announce the launch of the Paint Wisconsin-Marilyn Fuerstenberg Legacy Campaign. This special fundraiser will help sustain and support Paint Wisconsin, a new annual art exhibition beginning in August 2025. Paint Wisconsin will showcase the creativity and beauty of Wisconsin through works of art that capture the state’s unique aesthetics, landscapes, and life.

The goal of the Paint Wisconsin – Marilyn Fuerstenberg Legacy Campaign is to ensure the longevity of the annual Paint Wisconsin exhibition while also supporting the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s educational and children’s art programs. Friends and community members are invited to support this initiative.  

Anyone who contributes to the Paint Wisconsin – Marilyn Fuerstenberg Legacy Campaign between November 3 and December 20, during the Annual Members Show, will be entered into a drawing for one of two Marilyn Fuerstenberg’s original watercolor paintings. Additionally, attendees of the Annual Members Show who purchase a raffle ticket, will have a chance to win one of three original paintings by Tom Jewell, a recognized regional artist, Class of 1961 alum, and close friend of Marilyn. There will be separate winners for each drawing. The winners will be announced following the 2024 WAA Members’ Show, which runs from November 1 to December 20, 2024.

Marilyn Fuerstenberg, a founding member of the WAA and proud Class of 1961 alumna, was known for her passion for the arts and her dedication to fostering creativity and community spirit. By supporting WAA and the Paint Wisconsin exhibit, donors honor Marilyn’s legacy, helping to inspire art and creativity in Whitewater and beyond.

How to Get Involved

Donations are essential for this campaign’s success, and contributions of all sizes are welcomed. Donations can be made via check or online through the Whitewater Arts Alliance website.

• Gifts by Check: Make payable to Whitewater Arts Alliance and mail to PO Box 311, Whitewater, WI 53190, or drop off in person at the Cultural Arts Center Gallery, 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI, during posted gallery hours. Please note “Marilyn Fuerstenberg Legacy Campaign” on the check.
• Online Donations: Gifts by credit card, debit card, or PayPal can be made on the WAA website at: whitewaterarts.org/marilyn-fuerstenberg-legacy

With the community’s support, the Whitewater Arts Alliance can bring Marilyn Fuerstenberg’s vision to life, celebrating the arts and creating a lasting legacy in our community.

For more information, please visit whitewaterarts.org or contact:
Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts Alliance
Phone: 608-201-2151
Email:wwartsalliance@gmail.com

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Whitewater Arts Alliance. Artwork by Marilyn Fuerstenberg is from the Wisconsin Watercolor Society website.

Show your support for kindness and civility in Whitewater at a nonpartisan CommUnity Walk on Saturday, Nov. 16.

This free, family-friendly event will start at 9 a.m. at the Whitewater Armory, 146 W. North St. There will be refreshments, materials for making kindness and civility signs will be available and time to connect with friends and neighbors. There will be a number of community-based organizations offering information regarding their commitment to kindness and civility. Any organization interested in participating should email bekindwhitewater@gmail.com

The itinerary for the morning is as follows:

9 a.m.: Armory opens for gathering and conversations. 

9:15 a.m.: Welcoming statement and remarks by John Weidl, Whitewater city manager.

9:30 a.m.: Walk to the Andersen Library begins. The route will include Main Street through part of downtown and then to the UW-Whitewater campus library.

10 a.m.: Arrive at Andersen Library for more interactions, refreshments, and campus organization tabling. Dr. Dwight C. Watson, former UW-Whitewater Chancellor and current faculty member, will offer remarks.

10:30 a.m.: Leave Andersen Library and return to the Armory where the event will conclude.

A non-perishable food drive to benefit The Community Space will be held. Items current needed include: breakfast cereal, canned tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and peanut butter. Be Kind yard signs will be available for a $5 donation at the Armory.

“I love the community. Whitewater is a wonderful place to live,” Watson said. “This is an opportunity to be unified around a common cause, which is to be kind and supportive of all people.”

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside the Armory. For updates about this event and other kindness-related events visit the Be Kind Whitewater page on Facebook or search by #BeKindWhitewater.

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by the Be Kind Committee.

Steve Watson writes,
10-13-24. Skate park. 
Came upon a heron sound asleep.
I was quiet, didn’t make a peep.
A human passed with a couple dogs.
The heron slept like a log.
Finally woke up and looked around.
Walked into the leaves, and it was gone.

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing yet another great wildlife 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!

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The Whitewater City Market has normally moved into the library for the colder months, but due to the construction project at the library, the market has moved to the Cravath Lakefront Community Building, 341 S. Fremont Street. The market will be held there every Saturday through April from 9 a.m. to noon. The only day off will be December 28.

The market typically includes produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, jellies, and many other items. The Facebook page routinely features a listing of the vendors that will be present for each week.

There’s also a craft and conversation corner for kids to have a bit of fun especially around holidays and for lingering over conversation with neighbors/friends. 

Ferradermis members have been busy doing STEM outreach this fall as they train new members and wait for the launch of the new season in January.

On Thursday, November 7, team members Erison Dreksler, Margaret Brown, and Preston Miller spent the morning with the sixth-grade language arts classes at Whitewater Middle School. The sixth graders had just finished reading the book Wild Robot, and the trio of Ferradermis members was invited by teacher Alyssa Orlowski to demonstrate their robot and share stories that paralleled the themes of the book. Throughout the morning, the students focused mainly on the theme of change – how the game changes each year, how the robot changes throughout the season, how the team has evolved, and how their involvement with the team has changed them and even their future plans.

On Saturday, November 9, a small group of team members traveled to the FIRST Robotics Competition Training Day held at Waukesha County Technical College. Students were able to soak up a lot of great information from presentations by other teams, and they also contributed two presentations of their own. Ferradermis Electrical Subteam Lead Erison Dreksler offered a session on how to use AutoCAD to document a robot’s electrical system. Ferradermis Business Subteam Lead Andrew Zimmermann conducted a session called Securing Your Team’s Financial Future. During the presentation, Zimmermann had other teams conduct a SWOT analysis for their team and then shared a Ferradermis SWOT analysis. He also shared information about the team’s endowment fund at the Whitewater Community Foundation, the recent creation of the WUSD Robotics Booster Club supporting robotics in grades 4-12, and the strong bond between our team and the school district, which treats the team like a sport. Also attending workshops were Ferradermis Technical Team Captain Andrew O’Toole and team member Vivian Harris.

Sunday, November 10, brought 31 Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts to Whitewater High School for a Robotics Badge Workshop. Eleven members of Ferradermis rotated the girls through six different sessions throughout the afternoon, depending on their age level. Brownies were able to learn about simple machines and see how they could be used to design a robot for a FIRST Lego League robot mission, while Daisies created binary bracelets and learned about buggy code by giving directions to move a Ferradermis student through a physical maze. Both groups got to experience SNAP Circuits to learn about electricity and used an app called Tynker Junior to learn about coding. Both groups also spent some time with the Ferradermis robot, learning how it uses sensors and playing catch with it. The brownies learned to code small Sphero robots, and the Daisies worked with line following robots called Ozobots. As a result, the Daisies were able to earn their, “How Robots Move,” badge, and the Brownies earned two badges, “Showcasing Robots” and “Programming Robots.”

This weekend ten members of the team will be volunteering at the Mukwonago FIRST Lego League (FLL) Regional in order to learn what will be required when Ferradermis hosts the Whitewater FLL Regional on Sunday, December 8. Whitewater will be hosting 24 FLL teams from around the state for a full day of competition and judging that day. That event will be free and open to the public, and we invite the community to join us to see the FLL teams from Lincoln, Lakeview, Washington, and the Middle School in action as well as demonstrations from the Whitewater Middle School Iron Dragons FIRST Tech Challenge team and the Ferradermis FIRST Robotics Competition Team.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. A few weeks ago, we posted several views of the old East Side School, now Washington School. Giving equal time, this week’s photo is a post card of what was probably the newly built west side school, now Lincoln School. Completed in 1953, the school building met the needs of the burgeoning school-age population in westside Whitewater. It was designed by noted Madison architects Law, Law, Potter & Nystrom and has stood the test of time. The core building has been remodeled and expanded several times, but still serves the west side today.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(2117PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

The compost site will be closing for the season on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The compost site is open this Saturday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on next Wednesday from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

*Residents requesting brush collection should call (262) 473-0560 to make an appointment for
pick up on Tuesdays. Appointments must be made by 12:00 p.m. on Monday in order to be on
Tuesday’s collection list. Brush is collected year-round.

NOTICE: City Ordinance Chapter 12.08 – Street Obstructions, Section: 12.08.010 – Residents
are prohibited from depositing any yard waste debris on right of ways other than
City of Whitewater designated days.

For additional questions or concerns, contact the Streets Department at (262) 473-0560. For
other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.
Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov

Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our final
2024 Snowmobile Safety Education Course on December 3, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00
p.m., and December 7, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, 200 East U.S. Highway 14, Janesville, WI 53545. Students must attend both sessions to graduate.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1985, is required to complete a Snowmobile Safety Education Course to legally operate a snowmobile in areas open to the public within
Wisconsin. Students should be at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly after the class.

Snowmobile Safety Education Course

Session 1: December 3, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office
Session 2: December 7, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office
Registration is now open. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat.
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/snowmobile-education

Class size is limited to thirty students. Upon submission of the registration form, the
submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information. The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.

Editor’s note: The Rock County Sheriff’s Department has previously indicated to The Whitewater Banner that residents of other counties are welcome to attend.