News

Bethel House is seeking sponsorships for its annual Farm & Vine to Table Fall Dinner, which will be hosted this year on Friday, November 1st, at Staller Estate Winery & Vineyard.

“Our organization is so excited to once again host our Annual Fall Dinner at Staller Estate Winery & Vineyard,” states Megan Hartwick, Bethel House Executive Director. “This beautiful event serves as the primary fundraiser for Bethel House, providing crucial funding support for our organizational operations and our Emergency Assistance & Transitional Housing programs.”

The 2024 event will also celebrate Bethel House’s 30th anniversary.

“Last year’s event was the most successful Fall Dinner Bethel House has hosted, raising just over $27,000,” Hartwick adds. “This year, in honor of our milestone anniversary, we have set a very lofty goal to raise $30,000. And the way this community has always shown up for Bethel House and the families we serve, has me confident we can reach that.”

Confirmed sponsors for this year’s event include Bernie & Nancy Labovitch (Humanitarian Hero sponsor – $5,000), First Citizens State Bank, Sue & Ken Kidd and First English Lutheran Church (Community Investor sponsors – $3,000), Richard & Veronica Telfer, Bob & Sharon McCullough, Everett & Ellen Long, Harry & Barb Penington and Carole Scharinger (Family Advocate
sponsors – $1,000), and Kent Hutchins and Thayer & Anne Coburn (Hope Builder sponsors – $500).

The remaining sponsorships include one Community Investor, one Family Advocate, and four Hope Builders. Each level offers various recognition benefits, with full details available on the Bethel House website at www.bethelhouseinc.org. Sponsorship slots can be confirmed by contacting Hartwick at 262.473.2715 or director.bethelhouse@gmail.com. Sponsorships will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis.

The event is also supported by in-kind donations from Staller Estate Winery & Vineyard, Sue & Bill Chandler, Tom Ganser, and dozens of local business donors who have contributed to the silent auction.

“The generosity of Bethel House donors and supporters knows no bounds,” states Jessie Dugan, Bethel House Board President. “We are so appreciative of all who are extending financial support for this event, as well as all those who have contributed auction items, promoted ticket sales, and will be joining us on November 1st. Bethel House’s impact on local families wouldn’t be possible without this show of caring power from our community.”

Tickets for the Fall Dinner will be on sale starting Thursday, September 5th, and will remain open until October 18th or until sold out.

Tickets for the event are $75 and include a five-course dinner with wine pairings chosen by the Staller Estate staff. There will also be live orchestral music and many silent auction items for guests to bid on. Tickets can be purchased online through the Bethel House website (www.bethelhouseinc.org), or individuals can contact Bethel House to pay via mail and check.

“All proceeds from this event will support Bethel House’s critical work to prevent homelessness for children and families in the greater Whitewater community,” Hartwick adds. “The needs in our community are at an all-time high, and our staff and board of directors never cease to be amazed at the rallying support of Bethel House donors when they know local families need assistance. Bethel House believes that all families deserve a safe, stable place to call home, and we’re so thankful to all those who aid us in that work.”

Full event details can be found on the Bethel House website at www.bethelhouseinc.org. Any questions about the event can be directed to Hartwick at 262.473.2715 or director.bethelhouse@gmail.com.

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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.

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.

Warhawk Bold meets Paralympic Gold

By Chris Lindeke
Marketing and Communications Manager
University Marketing and Communications

Seven current or former members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball programs won gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, continuing a strong tradition of Warhawk success on the sport’s international stage.

John Boie, AJ Fitzpatrick, Nate Hinze, Talen Jourdan, Jeromie Meyer and Jake Williams were each part of the Team USA men, who defeated Great Britain 73-69 in the championship game to finish an undefeated run through the tournament and clinch the team’s third consecutive Paralympic title.

Hinze and Williams are now three-time gold medalists in the Paralympics. Williams led Team USA with a game-high 26 points in the gold medal victory. Boie, a member of the starting lineup with Williams, earned his second gold medal.

Fitzpatrick, a current human performance major at UW-Whitewater, Jourdan, and Meyer claimed their first gold medals competing in their first Paralympic Games.

The performance capped an incredible run through the sport for several Warhawks over the last 12 months. Williams, Fitzpatrick and Jourdan were each part of the Warhawks’ 2024 National Wheelchair Basketball Association intercollegiate national championship in March. Boie and Meyer joined the trio on the gold medal-winning Team USA at the 2023 Parapan Games last November.

Warhawk alum Mariska Beijer became a two-time gold medalist after leading the Team Netherlands women to a second consecutive first-place finish. One of the world’s top players, Beijer tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds in the Dutch’s 63-49 win against Team USA in the gold medal game.

Warhawk silver medalists included those who were part of the Team USA women — Becca Murray, Lindsey Zurbrugg, coach Christina Schwab and assistant coach Desiree Miller. Murray is now a four-time Paralympics medalist, and Zurbrugg is a two-time medalist. Schwab, the former UW-Whitewater women’s coach who currently works in the First Year Experience office, was a three-time gold medalist as a player in 2004, 2008 and 2016, and now a first-time medalist as the national team’s coach.

Other Warhawk alumni who competed at the Paralympic Games include Sammy White, whose Team Australia men finished fifth, and Vanessa Erskine and Mareike (Adermann) Miller, who helped the Team Germany women place sixth.

UW-Whitewater’s wheelchair basketball programs were highlighted in a feature by The Athletic, the sports vertical of The New York Times, in late August just ahead of the start of the Paralympic Games. The piece was published online before appearing in the August 30 print edition of the Times.

UW-Whitewater’s eight current or former student-athletes who represented Team USA in wheelchair basketball were more than any other school in the country.

New artist in The TeaLux Cafe Gallery! Terry Fair.

Awesome poster collages from Terry’s radio show!

They will hang there until October 31st, so go grab a tasty tea and check them out!!

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Rhonda Kolander.

The women of First English Lutheran Church produce quilts annually to ship to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to people in need.  The women use recycled and donated fabric to make the quilts.  They accept donations and will always appreciate volunteer sewing and cutting helpers.  This work is an expression of their faith and love for all people.  The church also donates and assembles school bags, health kits, and layettes for Lutheran World Relief.

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for a
multifamily development located on vacant land at the corner of Moraine View Parkway and Jakes Way Tax Parcel # /WPB 00044, and Consideration to Approve to Recommend to Common Council a change to the City of Whitewater Municipal Code Chapter 19, Specifically Repeal Section 19.51.180 Truck, Trailer, Mobile Home and Equipment Parking Restrictions
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/873079909
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 873-079-909
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding closing Starin Road between Prairie Street and
Warhawk Drive to vehicular traffic, Discussion and Possible Action regarding the turning movement at the southeast corner
of Franklin Street and W. Main Street.
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/81945735692?pwd=zp6T5k5HMqLJOpEtIoexzA40gdFvoy.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 819 4573 5692
Passcode: 606698

Community Involvement and Cable TV Commission – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes review of content on channel 990.
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/378277861
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 378-277-861
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Special Lakes Advisory Committee – Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action on Together for Healthy Lakes Summit- October 2, 2024
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str
*In Person and Virtual
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87461454456?pwd=AyjYBbEOxwOywAd2jfejtRIQsaUvWh.1
Meeting ID: 874 6145 4456
Passcode: 670236
Or Dial 1 312 626 6799

Special Finance Committee Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda: Discussion on Employee Health Insurance Options
Whitewater Municipal Building City Manager’s Conference 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 click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87117022791
The phone number for dial-in participation has not yet been provided.

The following article by Maggie Hendricks was posted on olympics.com.

The United States became the first men’s wheelchair basketball team ever to win three gold medals at the Paralympics. Team USA won gold with a 73-69 win over Great Britain at Bercy Arena in Paris on Saturday, 7 September.

As he has done throughout the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Steve Serio led Team USA to the win. He scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out eight assists for the win. Serio said that these would be his final Paralympics. His play is a huge reason why the United States’ men’s team has dominated over the past decade. He retires with three Paralympic golds, one bronze and five world championship medals.

“This is what dreams are made of, man. The totality of the journey, how much this team has grown up together. We’ve won together, we’ve lost together. To cap off my Team USA career with a win like this, with 12 athletes that I love and a great staff behind me, this is what dreams are made of,” Serio said to NBC after the win.

But Serio hardly got the win by himself. Jake Williams [former UW-W student athlete] led Team USA with 26 points, and Trevon Jenifer added 14. While Brian Bell didn’t score as many points as he has in previous games, he was all over the court and made a remarkable difference on defense.

Serio said that the team’s depth and chemistry is what makes them special.

“Any given day, it can be any athlete. We know that we go 12-deep. I read somewhere once that the secret of basketball is not basketball. It’s about the relationships you’ve built. These guys. We bleed together, we sweat together, we work together. We fail together, and today we won together,” he said with a big smile.

The win caps off a magical run through Paris for the U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball team. The U.S. won all three of their games in group play, and then won the quarterfinal and the semifinals with an average of 36 points. Now, they get to return home as the most successful men’s wheelchair basketball team of all time.

Editor’s note: A previous Banner article, The Athletic: “…UW-W, the bedrock of the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Team, may be found here.

Effective Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the hours of operation will change from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. This will remain in effect until the site closes for the season on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. However, the site will still remain open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. through November 16, 2024.

For any questions or concerns contact the Streets Department at (262) 473-0560.
Brian Neumeister
Superintendent- Streets/Parks/Stormwater

“Thelma”

Tuesday, September 10, 1 p.m.

(Comedy/Action) Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 38 minutes (2024)

When 93 year old Thelma Post (played by 94 year old June Squibb) gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. Revenge has never been sweeter. Drama, comedy, adventure and romance commences! Also stars Richard Roundtree, in his last performance. 

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/

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #238 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 7, 2024, in honor of U.S. Army Corporal Robert P. Raess, who lost his life in the Korean War and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial.

“Corporal Robert Raess made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the values and freedoms we hold dear, and his bravery, service, and selflessness will not be forgotten,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m glad that after over 70 years, Corporal Raess will return home to Dodgeville and be laid to rest surrounded by his loved ones.”

A native of Dodgeville, Corporal Raess was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. On Sept. 1, 1950, Corporal Raess was reported missing in action near Changnyeong, South Korea, and was officially declared deceased on Dec. 31, 1953. In 1951, the Army recovered remains from 12 smaller military cemeteries in the area where Corporal Raess was last seen and temporarily interred them at the United Nations Military Cemetery in Tanggok, South Korea, and in 1956, they were buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. Corporal Raess’ remains were positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on March 26, 2024.

Corporal Raess will be buried on Sat., Sept. 7, 2024, in Dodgeville.

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Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #239 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 7, 2024, in honor of former Wisconsin State Rep. Stephen J. Freese, who passed away on Wed., Aug. 28, 2024, at the age of 64.

“Representative Freese’s unwavering dedication to public service, his deep devotion to his family and friends, and his commitment to uplifting Wisconsin’s rural communities, will be missed by many,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues in mourning his passing.”

Former Rep. Freese grew up in Hazel Green and was a graduate of Southwestern High and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Former Rep. Freese first entered public service in 1980, serving on the Jamestown Town Board from 1980 to 1994, and also served on the Grant County Board of Supervisors from 1982 to 1992. In 1990, former Rep. Freese was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he served for 16 years representing the 51st Assembly District. During his time in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Rep. Freese served as speaker pro tempore of the Assembly for 12 years.

Services for former Rep. Freese will be held on Sat., Sept. 7, 2024, in Sinsinawa.