News

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

5th Grade Concert – December 17

Music Masters Ensemble Showcase – December 15

Update 1/7/25 @ 10:30 a.m. – Reader Mike Smith made a comment on our social media post indicating that the “star” was the planet Venus. He added, “Really great app is Stellarium. You point it at the sky and it tells you what you are looking at. Jupiter is currently very visible at night as well.”

Tom Ganser writes. “On January 3, 2025, at about 6:30 p.m., looking west from Acorn Ridge in Prairie Village, this is all I could see high up in the totally black sky dome – a bright crescent moon and one equally bright star friend.  A remarkable sight.”

Our thanks to Tom Ganser for this striking image.

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The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is pleased to announce the opening of the “Faces of Fairhaven” exhibit at the Cultural Arts Center Gallery. Running from January 4-26, 2025, this special exhibition celebrates the vibrant community spirit of Fairhaven through a unique collaboration between UW-Whitewater drawing students and Fairhaven residents.

The exhibit features a diverse collection of illustrations and craft projects that capture the essence of Fairhaven’s residents and their stories. Visitors will have the chance to see the remarkable artistic talents of both students and seniors, highlighting the rich heritage and creativity that characterize the Fairhaven community. This meaningful collaboration showcases the unity and shared creativity between Fairhaven residents and UW-Whitewater students.

The “Faces of Fairhaven” exhibit is the result of a collaborative effort among the WAA, Brian Robinson from Fairhaven Senior Services, and Lilly Handley, a drawing instructor at UW Whitewater. Their dedication and vision have brought together the generations in a shared artistic endeavor.

The opening reception will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 1 pm-4 pm. The gallery hours are Thursdays-Sundays from 12 pm-4 pm. The exhibit will take place at the Cultural ArtsCenter Gallery, located at 402 West Main St, Whitewater.

As part of the WAA’s 20th-anniversary celebration, the “Faces of Fairhaven” exhibit marks two decades of fostering artistic expression and community engagement in Whitewater. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the creativity and spirit of Fairhaven.

Bethel House has announced that Angeline Doman has been hired as its new Director of Case Management & Operations. She will officially start on January 6th.

“Bethel House is so excited to have Angeline serve as the new leader of our organization,” said Jessie Dugan, Bethel House Board Chair. “We’ve worked hard the last two years to streamline our operations, expand community partnerships, and increase our critical client support, and we’re eager to continue that growth. Angeline’s knowledge, experience, and passion for
nonprofit work will be a tremendous asset to our organization and all the families looking to Bethel House for support.”

Doman holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Aurora University, as well as a Bachelor’s in Social Work and Associate degrees in Nursing and Human Services from George Williams Aurora University and Gateway Technical College, respectively. She has over six years of social work and case management experience, having previously served as a social worker and crisis
advocate at New Beginnings APFV and most recently as a social worker and case manager at Mercyhealth. “The hiring committee unanimously chose Angeline as our new director based on her experience and authentic passion for supporting families,” adds Dugan. “We have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead Bethel House and add to our important presence in the Whitewater community.”

Doman will fill a newly created role following the departure of Megan Hartwick and Sydney Christianson and will be joined by a part-time administrative assistant, who will begin in March.

“Our previous staffing structure of a full-time case manager and part-time director was critical at a time when a focus was needed on operations and fundraising,” Dugan notes. “Megan and Sydney provided such important stability to our organization at a time of significant transition, and our hiring committee is confident this newly created position can effectively meet the needs of all those we serve, partly due to the hard work of our outgoing team.”

Doman will be responsible for distributing emergency financial assistance, managing casework for housed families, and managing the organization’s marketing and fundraising efforts.

“I am excited and honored to help lead an organization that is so special within the Whitewater community,” states Doman. “I’m looking forward to meeting with local families, listening to their stories, and helping them navigate their hardships.”

Doman will serve in her capacity full-time and will be available during office hours of 8:30 am- 5 pm Monday-Thursday.

“The entire board is thankful for the Whitewater community as they’ve steadfastly supported Bethel House in so many ways,” states Dugan. “Our organization has been a mainstay of support in Whitewater for 30 years, and we could not be more excited to have Angeline leading with optimism and enthusiasm.”

For more information on Bethel House’s programs and services or on how you can support it, visit www.bethelhouseinc.org or call 262.473.2715.

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Bethel House is an ecumenical project helping families facing homelessness in the Whitewater area. Bethel House provides transitional housing, emergency financial assistance, and case management to families in need.

Bethel House utilizes seven private housing units where families can live for up to one year while working on the issues that led to their homelessness. Case management services include budgeting, debt repayment, job searching, resume creation & building, life skills & decision-making, accessing other community resources & services, and much more. Emergency assistance support is also provided for families needing assistance with rental payments, utility bills, transportation costs, and more.

Bethel House services are provided to clients free of charge and with understanding and compassion. Clients are always treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve. For more details, visit www.bethelhouseinc.org or call 262.473.2715.

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The Whitewater Culver’s, along with nearly seventy others across Wisconsin, is raising money to support victims of the recent shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) in Madison. A teacher and student were killed Dec. 16 when another student opened fire during a study period at the school. The shooter then turned the gun on themselves, police say. Six others were injured.

“Make Your Meal Matter” Day will take place Monday, Jan. 6, to support the ALCS Emergency and Recovery Fund. Each participating restaurant is establishing the portion of its sales that will be donated.

Other area participating restaurants include Delavan, Elkhorn, Fort Atkinson, and Lake Geneva.

“So many organizations and businesses stepping up to help our school, our students, our staff, and our families. We are grateful,” the school wrote on its Facebook page.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the funds will be donated to United Way of Dane County’s fund to support Abundant Life Christian School families. “Abundant Life’s principal has said the priorities will be first, to help the families who lost loved ones; then, to support the medical expenses of those injured; and finally, to use the remaining funds to provide for the mental health needs of the school community,” per the article.

The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will collect Christmas trees on Tuesday, January 7, and Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Please place your tree on the terrace by 6:00 a.m. on these dates. Residents who wish to have a tree picked up after the above scheduled dates must call the Department of Public Works at 473-0560 before 12:00 noon on Monday, the day before Tuesday’s collection.

Trees that have been flocked or contain wire will not be collected by the city. Please place these trees, on your terrace, for collection by John’s Disposal on the second Thursday of the month, your bulk pick up day.

The Greater Whitewater Committee is Set to Host Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities for the City of Whitewater, Kevin Boehm, as a Guest Speaker at the January Meeting providing an update on the status of the Aquatic Center. 

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities for the City of Whitewater, Kevin Boehm, at the upcoming January meeting. Kevin will be providing an update on the status of the Aquatic Center.

Kevin Boehm serves as the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities for the City of Whitewater, Wisconsin. A Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI), Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), and Certified Pool Operator (CPO), Kevin has a distinguished career dedicated to enhancing public spaces and enriching communities.

With prior leadership roles as the Director of Parks for Waushara County, the City of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and the City of Enid, Oklahoma, Kevin has championed facility improvements, including ADA compliance projects and park enhancements. He is also known for creating engaging community events, such as the annual Christmas at Cravath light display at Cravath Lakefront Park, which has become a cherished tradition in Whitewater. Kevin’s passion for accessible, vibrant, and sustainable recreational spaces continues to drive his commitment to improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

“I saw Kevin’s presentation at the City Council meeting, and I thought it was very interesting,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight. “I am looking forward to Kevin’s presentation to learn more about the plans for the Aquatic Center.”

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is Thursday, January 9th at 7 a.m. at the Community Engagement Center: 1260 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is more than welcome to attend this meeting. If interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, January 8th.

 About the GWC

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policymakers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies required to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction. Most call the honor “dean’s list”, but some grant the “Dean’s Honor List” and “Dean’s High Honor List.”

NAME, COLLEGE, AWARD
Whitewater, WI

 Crystal Chan, Col of Agricultural & Life Sci, Dean’s List
 Jonathan Chan, College of Engineering, Dean’s Honor List
 Arno Crowley, Col of Agricultural & Life Sci, Dean’s List
 Colin Dugan, Col of Agricultural & Life Sci, Dean’s List
 Lizbeth Gallegos, Col of Agricultural & Life Sci, Dean’s List
 Reid Gunnink, School of Business, Dean’s List
 CC Liang, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Emmanuel Mbifi, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Leah Newmann, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Anna Riemer, School of Pharmacy, High Honor Roll
 Kendal Schreiber, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Kaden Tourdot, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Jonathan Zheng, School of Pharmacy, Honor Roll

Gov. Evers Order Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former Wisconsin State Sen. Cullen

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #251 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Jan. 4, 2025, in honor of former Wisconsin State Sen. Tim Cullen, who passed away on Mon., Dec. 23, 2024, at the age of 80.   “Former Sen. Cullen was a dedicated public servant who devoted much of his life to good governance and improving the state that raised him,” said Gov. Evers in a statement last week. “Sen. Cullen always fought for working families, gave back to and supported kids in the Janesville area, and advocated fiercely for nonpartisan redistricting and access to the ballot box during both his time in the Wisconsin State Senate and beyond it. He spent much of his life working to end partisan gerrymandering and fighting for Wisconsin to have fair maps at long last. There is no doubt our state is better off because of Sen. Cullen and his service. Kathy and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and all those who knew him.” Born in Janesville, former Sen. Cullen graduated from Janesville High School in 1962 and went on to continue his education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Former Sen. Cullen then served in the United States Army Reserve and briefly taught high school before being elected to serve on the Janesville City Council in 1970. Former Sen. Cullen later served four years as district director for U.S. Rep. Les Aspin (D-Wisconsin) before being elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1974, where he served the 15th Senate District until 1987, with five of those years serving as majority leader. In 1987, former Gov. Tommy Thompson appointed former Sen. Cullen to serve as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, and in 1988, he transitioned to the private sector, where he championed a career as vice president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin for two decades. After retiring from his position at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin in 2007, he was elected to the School District of Janesville Board of Education, and in 2010, he ran for and was elected to his former Senate seat, serving until his retirement in 2015. After his time in the Legislature, former Sen. Cullen advocated for causes he believed in, such as ending partisan gerrymandering, fighting for equal opportunities for kids, and more. Former Sen. Cullen also served on the board of Common Cause of Wisconsin for over two decades, serving as chair from 2018 until he stepped down in 2022. Services for former State Sen. Cullen will be held on Sat., Jan. 4, 2025, in Janesville. Executive Order #251 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Sat., Jan. 4, 2025, and is available here. The flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin will concurrently be flown at half-staff pursuant to Executive Order #249 and should remain so until sunset on Tues., Jan. 28, 2025.