In the past couple of months, the Whitewater Effigy Mounds has had visits from Amy Rosenbraugh, nationally-known expert on Effigy Mounds, and expert UW Madison Geology Professor William Gartner. They recently had observed LIDAR map imagery of the sacred mounds here and now suspect a pretty incredible new discovery on this historical Whitewater and State Landmark – one thousand-year-old raised garden beds. Landmark Trek was there to film and observe the day they were there in town and created an Effigy Mounds Part 2 episode covering all the new information. The video is below.
News
Celebration of Life: Patricia Parr
Patricia Ann Parr
Born 7/20/42
Departed to Heaven 5/10/23
About herself, Patricia often said “I love life, I love God, He always has taken care of me, and He always will”.
Patricia died peacefully at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, after a long and courageously fought season of declining health.
Patricia was born in Beaver Dam, to a lovely family, which included her older brother Dennis and not too long after, her lifetime best friend and little sister Mary.
They grew up on an idyllic “Gentlemen’s Farm” outside of Jefferson, with horses and many animals. Her parents, Floyd and Kathryn owned the local pharmacy in Jefferson, so they were friends with the whole town.
She was smart with a wide range of interests and gifts and many friends. She was selected to be the only honoree representing Fort Atkinson High School at Badger Girls State in Madison her Senior year. After graduating in the Top 20 of her class from Fort Atkinson High School as a national merit scholar, she attended the University of Wisconsin Madison on a full scholarship, as a Psychology major.
Her sense of adventure and interest in civil rights issues and the changing culture of the era, led her to New York City, where she had several unique positions, including working as an assistant to the famous rock band, The Loving Spoonful, and as an executive secretary and proofreader for a renowned global publication.
Patricia had one daughter, Bridget and enjoyed married life in Michigan for many years, where she worked an array of interesting jobs throughout her life there, and later in Whitewater.
She was known for her humor, wit, intelligence, crossword puzzles, artistry, writing, cooking, fashion sense and her rare gift for working with adults and children with special needs.
She bore witness to a vibrant faith, church choir service and a strong commitment to her AA peers and program.
Surviving Patricia are her daughter Bridget and Granddaughter Kailin, of St. Louis, her sister Mary Lange of Oconomowoc, her nieces Jennifer and Tracy and Great nephew Gabriel, along with many beloved extended family members.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Mass is planned for:
Friday, July 19th in Jefferson, WI
11 am
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
Donations to Alcoholics Anonymous and St. Patrick’s Church.
This Week’s Garage Sale
5 Family Rummage Sale, Thursday, July 11- Saturday, July 13, 9:00am-3:00pm – 239 Lakeview Dr, Whitewater
You name it; we probably have it.
Piper Road Spring Band Playing Free Concert This Thursday at Flat Iron Park as Part of Savory Sounds Series
Piper Road Spring Band will play this Thursday, July 11, from 11:30am to 12:45pm, for the Whitewater Art Alliance’s Savory Sounds Summer Concerts, rain or shine. Piper Road Spring Band has been a Whitewater and regional bluegrass band favorite since their days 40 years ago when they played weekends at the Green Dragon on Blackhawk Island. Fiddle, mandolin, string bass, guitar, and washboard are their classic makeup.
And what food goes better with Piper Road Spring Band music than pizza?Always a favorite at Savory Sounds, our vendor this week will be Rocky Rococo’s, so come hungry!
This week’s band is sponsored by The Coburn Company, Inc. (www.coburn.com)
- Location: Flat Iron Park (next to the Birge Fountain), 402 W Main St, Whitewater.
- Rain or Shine: Normally held outdoors on the lawn, in the event of rain, the concerts are moved indoors to the Cultural Arts Center.
- Seating: Bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets but if the concert gets moved indoors you won’t need them.
- Food & Refreshments: Food and other refreshments will be available from the food vendor or bring your own lunch.
- Parking: CAC lot and city street parking is available with additional parking is available at First English Lutheran Church.
Our sponsors for the summer series are:
Steck Estate Sale Set For July 13-14
Estate Sale
Marianne Steck
1110 W. Walworth Ave.
Whitewater, WI 53190
Saturday, July 13th 9:00am-2:00pm
Sunday, July 14th 9:00am-2:00pm
Numbers issued ½ hour prior to sale on both days
You don’t want to miss this sale! It is a very clean sale with high quality items!
Antiques & Collectibles: Cedar Chests, Braided Rugs, Beautiful American Black Walnut Twin 4 Poster Beds with Matching High Boy, Vanity/Mirror & Nightstand, Tartan Plaid Picnic Bucket Grill, Snack Tables, 5’ Homasote Santa, Vintage Well Pump, Antique Cast Iron School Bell, Wall Mount Kerosene Lamp/Reflector, Antique Kitchen Clock, Claw Footed Fern Stand, Ronald Regan Signed Photo, U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Sword/Scabbard, Aiwa Cassette/CD Player, Mid-Century Modern Record Player, T.V. & Radio Console Cabinet, Victorian Side Chair, L.P. Record Albums, 3 Drawer Commode, Burley Candles, Honey Comb Thanksgiving Theme, Electric Company Cookbooks, Mid-Century Record Cabinet, Gone with the Wind Type Lamps, Rotating Color Wheel, Coffee Grinder, Vintage G.E. Refrigerator, Christmas Ornaments
Glassware: Set of Gibson “Festival Fruit” Pattern China, Set of Johnson Brothers “The Friendly Village” Pattern China, Westmoreland, Cut Glass, Stemware, Pink & Green Depression, Ironstone “Tea Leaf” Bowl & Pitcher, Cambridge – Rose Point Pattern
Furniture: Maple Desk, Stiffel Table & Floor Lamps, Kitchen Table & 4 Chairs, Ekornes Stressless Chair & Ottoman, Maple & Cherry End Tables,- Coffee Tables, Sofa, Big Man Recliners, Small Drop Leaf Table & 2 Chairs, Rocker Recliner, Wooden Rockers, Entertainment Center, La-Z-Boy Recliner, Wing Back Chair, Marble Based Table Lamps, King Size Bed, Dining Table with 4 Leaves & 6 Chairs, China Hutch, Pictures & Frames
Household Items: Small Kitchen Appliances, Usual Kitchen Items, Office Supplies, Home Health Supplies including Transfer Wheel Chair, Sentry Floor Safe, Nesco & Stand, Set of Stainless Flatware, Small Upright Freezer, Washer, Dryer, Metal Cabinets, Filing Cabinets
Garage & Outdoor Items: Patio Table Umbrella, Hand Tools, Metal Shelving, Croquet set, Appliance 2-Wheel Cart, Garden Tools, Vintage Reel Mower, Water Fire Extinguishers and much much more
See Craigslist for pictures
Whitewater Community Foundation Grants Announced
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation.
The Whitewater Community Foundation (WCF) has presented the spring 2024 grants, which include $2,500 to Fairhaven for the outdoor garden space at Hearthstone Memory Care, $1,000 to the Book Buddies project, which connects volunteers with children and books, and $383 to the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative to comfort people living with dementia.
“These action grants support the Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission to enhance Whitewater’s quality of life for all people,” said Kat Mawhinney, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee.
Fairhaven – $2,500
The grant to revamp the outdoor garden at Hearthstone Memory Care will allow families to enjoy time with residents in an outdoor space and will improve the functionality and beauty of the area through purchases of gardening beds, tools, plants, outdoor furniture, umbrellas, tents, and decorative pieces.
The group shared, “Hearthstone has a capacity of 24 residents to which every resident could benefit. Family members/visitors, volunteers and students groups will all be able to use this space with the residents.”
Back Row: L to R –David Gackstatter (Director HR & Business Services), Dawn Blazier (Infection Preventionist RN Nurse Manager), Jasmyne Hauger (Dining Services Manager), Shannon Schoville (Marketing Manager Prairie Village & Executive Assistant), Betty Schelb (Director of Environmental Services) & Shane Niman (Director of Facilities)
Book Buddies – $1,000
The grant to Book Buddies will be used for one new book per child, outreach, notebooks, pencils, book marks and t-shirts for volunteers. Approximately 25 children will benefit directly and improve their reading, speaking and listening skills by working with an adult volunteer who reads with them.
The group shared, “Having the support of a caring adult who not only helps them with these skills but values their opinions when discussing the books’ positive themes, helps children build self-esteem as well as character which could play out in their families, classrooms, or their community.”
Dementia Friendly Community Initiative – $383
The grant to the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative will be used to purchase several items, including two weighted ‘newborn comfort’ therapy baby dolls, a faux therapy dog and cat (and brush and batteries,) and a tool board for people who like to build.
The group shared, “Caregivers and persons living with dementia are often isolated. Most people with dementia live at home with a family caregiver. These items can often calm and distract a person with dementia, giving the caregiver a break or time to accomplish other needed activities in the home. Caregivers will be able to check items out of the library to experience an expensive item with their loved one to see if it will be useful to purchase one.”
Back Row: (L to R) — Jennifer Jackson, Erin Miller, Ginny Coburn (WCF)
Twice a year, the Whitewater Community Foundation offers Community Action Grants for projects that the community and board of directors believe are worthwhile and beneficial to various segments of the population. Grant proposals are due on April 30th and October 31st of each year.
“This kind of caring is what Whitewater and the Whitewater Community Foundation are all about,” said Telfer.
Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should contact chairperson@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org.
The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.
More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org and on Facebook.
The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.”
ADRC of Walworth County to Bring Walk with Ease Program to Whitewater Starting July 23
(ELKHORN, WI): The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer Walk with Ease at Starin Park in Whitewater starting July 23. Walk With Ease—a program from the Arthritis Foundation—is a structured walking program that teaches participants how to safely make physical activity part of their everyday lives. The program is designed to help people living with arthritis better manage their pain and is also ideal for people without arthritis who want to make walking a daily habit.
Walk With Ease offers support, information, and tools to help participants develop successful exercise routines. The six-week group series is led by certified instructors Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD, and Rebecca Way MSW, APSW. During the program, participants learn proper stretching and pain management techniques; they also build stamina and walking pace. The program can be modified to meet the needs of individual participants so that each person can develop an exercise routine that fits their unique goals.
“Research shows that walking is not only good for joints, but also helps improve the health of the heart, lungs, and bones,” said Blaszczyk. “Walking can also help with weight management, which can reduce one’s risk for arthritis in the knee, heart disease, and diabetes. If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you will most likely have success with Walk with Ease.”
The information and strategies taught in the program are based on research and tested programs in exercise science, behavior change, and arthritis management. Updated and evaluated by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina, Walk with Ease is shown to increase balance, strength, and walking pace, as well as reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis. The program is also shown to build participant confidence to be physically active and improve overall health.
Walk withEase will be held every Tuesday, July 23 to August 27, from 9 to 10 a.m., at Starin Park, 504 West Starin Road, Whitewater. Pre-registration is required. This workshop has a suggested contribution of $10. For more information, contact Chetney Blaszczyk at (262) 741-3309. Before starting any exercise program, always check with your physician.
About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.
Contact: Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD
ADRC Nutrition & Health Promotion Coordinator
(262) 741-3309
cblaszczyk@co.walworth.wi.us
Whitewater City Market Road Construction Relocation Announcement
The outdoor season of the Whitewater City Market, held every Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM May through October, will temporarily relocate due to road construction on S Fremont Street for the remainder of the outdoor season. The market, traditionally located by the Train Depot at 301 W Whitewater Street, will move to the parking lot of Cravath Lakefront Park.
We appreciate the community’s understanding and flexibility during this transition. Please note the following important details regarding the new location:
Location: Cravath Lakefront Park parking lot
Layout: Vendors will set up in the parking lot with tents/tables directly behind their vehicles weekly creating an alley for customers to shop. Live music weekly will shift to the amphitheater stage. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket as desired for viewing the music from the lower portion of the park.
Access: The market will have only one entrance, accessible from Whitewater Street through the arch into the parking lot.
Parking: Limited parking will be available for patrons who need more adjacent parking in the Cravath Lakefront Park lot not occupied by the market(the eastern portion of the lot). Additional street parking can be found along Whitewater Street.
We apologize for any inconvenience this temporary relocation may cause and thank you for your continued support of the Whitewater City Market. We look forward to seeing you at Cravath Lakefront Park and appreciate your understanding.
For more information, please contact:
Lisa Dawsey Smith/Katy Wimer
Market Coordinators
whitewatercitymarket@gmail.com
Thank you for your cooperation and continued patronage.
Scam/Impersonating Deputy Phone Calls
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of recent fraudulent phone calls to citizens within Rock County where the caller identifies themselves as a Rock County Deputy. They have been using different names of active Deputies/Supervisors. The
caller(s) indicate the person needs to send them money to clear up a legal manner. At this time, we are not aware of any monetary loss to the public. These phone calls are fraudulent in nature, and we warn the public that the Sheriff’s Office nor our representatives will call citizens asking for money.
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to let their family and friends know about these scams. The caller’s have even set up mailboxes identifying themselves as Rock County Sheriff’s Office Personnel so when the person tries to return call appears to be real. Anyone receiving calls of this nature is urged to report it to the Rock County Communications Center at 608.757.2244.
People should always use caution and are reminded not to give personal information or pay monies via phone unless they can verify the source of origin.
Contact Person
Captain Caleb Beutin
608-757-7906
The Community ESL Program of Whitewater Celebrates 25 Years of Changing Lives
What started out as a dream for Jorge Islas-Martinez and Sandra Heyer more than a quarter of a century ago has come to change the lives of thousands of people, including hundreds of English-language learners, their families, and the Whitewater community as a whole.
In 1997, Islas-Martinez and Heyer had the vision to create an ESL program for adult learners in Whitewater after the southeastern Wisconsin town experienced an increase in migration, predominantly from Mexico.
“Sandra and I wanted to help provide English language instruction to area adults who wanted to learn English to better connect with the Whitewater community and support their families,” said Islas-Martinez. “We never dreamed it would continue to have an impact on so many generations of families.”
A gala to celebrate the success of the Community ESL Program of Whitewater will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 26, at 841 Brewhouse in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and will feature dinner, recognitions and dancing.
“I am overwhelmed to think of what the impact of the program on the community has been over the years,” said Islas-Martinez. “So many volunteers from the English- and Spanish-speaking communities and partnerships with organizations and the school district have made this possible. It is my dream that we can come together to celebrate this life-changing effort, and that the program will continue to grow and touch even more lives in the future.”
“I am very thankful for this program because it has allowed me the opportunity to achieve more than one of my dreams,” said Ana Leon, ESL program participant. “My first dream was becoming an independent person so I could talk to my children’s teachers, make appointments, go to the store and many more things. Then I decided to take the computer classes offered in this program — this allowed me to achieve my second dream, which was obtaining my GED, and I did it online. I know for a fact more dreams to achieve are on my way. Thanks to all my teachers for everything you do for us.”
The Community ESL Program of Whitewater is offered in the evenings at Whitewater High School and, since 2021, during the day at the Community Space in Whitewater. Bilingual adults who themselves grew up in Whitewater in Spanish-speaking households provide childcare and assist students with homework and provide enrichment activities. The Whitewater Unified School District and occasional contributions from local civic groups and churches provide financial support; the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties supports the childcare program.
The four levels of curriculum, from beginning to advanced English language proficiency, were fully developed and taught by experienced teachers, including Heyer, who is the author of a textbook series called “True Stories” aimed at developing reading-skill instruction to English language learners in a carefully paced, step-by-step process.
In addition to improving their reading, writing, and communication skills in English, students in the program have been able to work towards citizenship, learn basic computer literacy, and get information about local resources.
“In a safe and supportive environment, this program helps students to learn essential life skills that are critical for their survival in a new community,” said Sarah Linn, ESL program instructor. “We as a community benefit from their hard work and the sacrifices these students make in achieving their goals and dreams of a new life in the United States.”
With the increase in multilingual residents the school district and the city have experienced in recent years, the need for the program is only expected to grow.
“Our district and community are home to many multilingual families,” said Terilyn Robles, Director of Teaching and Learning at Whitewater Unified School District. “In fact, multilingual learners and bilingual students make up over one-third of WUSD and represent 10 different languages. Over the years, the staff and students of our language programs and the Community ESL Program of Whitewater have made a tremendous impact in promoting bilingualism and biliteracy.”
For more information on the Whitewater Adult ESL program or to purchase tickets for the gala, contact Jorge Islas-Martinez at 920-397-8942 or jislasmartinez@wwusd.org.
Kristine Zaballos
The Community Space