News

Do you and your young kids love to sing, dance, and play musical instruments? Do you wish you had new parenting strategies to handle stress, meltdowns, and challenging behaviors?

Children ages zero to six and their caregivers are invited to “Sing, Dance, Thrive,” a free class at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Saturday, July 11 at 9:45-11:00 a.m. Participants will engage in imaginative music and movement adventures, playfully dance with colorful ribbons and parachutes, and nurture relationships by deepening emotional awareness and learning coping strategies for home and school.

The class is taught by Noelle Larson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music”, strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making.

There is no cost or registration required to attend. While the class is best for ages 6 and under, all ages are welcome to attend. Contact Sarah French with any questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-473-0530.

The Whitewater 4th of July Committee is proud to share that the 39th Annual Car Show, sponsored by First Citizens State Bank, was a resounding success, celebrating a shared passion for automotive excellence. 

Held July 6, the car show attracted a large crowd of car enthusiasts, families, and community members who enjoyed an afternoon filled with an array of classic and modern vehicles. The event featured an impressive collection of cars, from vintage models to the latest innovations in automotive technology.

Chad and Jessica O’Leary, the dedicated organizers and volunteers, once again demonstrated their passion for the automotive world and their commitment to bringing the community together by organizing the car show for the 4th year in a row. There were 89 registered vehicles, and when combined with those who joined later in the afternoon, it brought the number of total participants over 100! Please join us in celebrating this milestone record attendance.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsor, First Citizens State Bank, whose support was instrumental in making this event possible. First Citizens State Bank’s continued commitment to the community and enthusiasm for the car show also played a pivotal role in its success.

One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of the winners. This year’s winners, chosen by popular/band vote, were:

• John & Becky Starks, 1956 Ford Parklane
• Frank & Jessie Schlumpf, 1955 Chevrolet 2 Door Wagon
• E.G. Becker, 1940 Ford 4 Door
• Keith Hetzel, 1992 Lincoln Towncar
• Larry Trieloft (Band choice), 1967 Ford Mustang LTZ

We congratulate the winners and thank all participants for showcasing their remarkable vehicles.

We look forward to continuing this tradition and welcoming everyone back for the 40th Annual Car Show next year.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Katie Lehman and Lisa Dawsey Smith
Co-Chairs, Whitewater 4th of July Committee
whitewater4th@gmail.com

Thank you once again to our hosts, sponsors, participants, and attendees for making this event unforgettable.

FORT ATKINSON, WI — Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) held their annual brat cookout on Saturday, June
8, to raise money for the Jefferson County Cancer Coalition (JCOCC).

The JCOCC is a community-based organization that aims to support individuals and families affected by cancer
in Jefferson County. The coalition works towards raising awareness about early detection, prevention and
treatment of cancer while also advocating for improved cancer care and support services within the community.
The cookout took place at FCCU’s Main Branch located at 800 Madison Avenue in Fort Atkinson.

All items were donated by Johnsonville, Kwik Trip, FCCU team members, and Festival, ensuring that 100% of the
proceeds went to the JCOCC. FCCU team member Deanna Ugalde was instrumental in the coordination and
execution of the event. “Thank you to the FCCU team,” said Deanna, event organizer. “Without their help and
support, this event would not be possible every year.”

FCCU raised a grand total of $2,533.71 for the Jefferson County Cancer Coalition this year! Thank you to
everyone who stopped by to support such a great cause!

A quiet Tuesday night light show without the fireworks! The photo was taken looking west from Trippe Lake. What a gorgeous sunset!

Submitted by Carol McCormick

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.

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 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:  

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

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.”

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.”

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.”