Invest in our work to prevent homelessness in the Whitewater community by supporting our 2nd Annual Spring Raffle Fundraiser!
All event proceeds will directly support our transitional housing & emergency financial assistance programs.
Our 1st Annual Spring Raffle in 2023 raised $9,525 in support of our work to keep local children & families housed.
THANK YOU to all who supported the event!
By Sherry Stanek, chair
Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission
Whitewater’s effort at developing an arboretum in Whitewater, which is a living classroom that explains the importance of trees to all of us, and importantly, OUR importance to them, is making steady progress! After receiving national recognition and certification as an Arboretum in 2021, the 2022 DNR Urban Forestry Grant was approved to begin planting trees in earnest. This part of the work has been completed with the planting of more than 200 trees and shrubs at Starin Park, and Whitewater has been approved by the DNR to now receive the $25,000 reimbursement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources!
This project, undertaken largely by community volunteers with strong support and contributions from the Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department and the Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry Department and especially Public Works staff, was launched in early spring 2022. The $25,000 reimbursement from the DNR reflects the department’s share of developmental costs. Part of the grant required native trees to also be planted on private property. This was accomplished by the establishment of the annual Whitewater Community Tree Sale which will be held this year on April 26 from 11-6, April 27 from 8 to 4 and on April 28 from noon to 4. As a result of this work, more than 500 native trees have been planted throughout the park and wider community in the last couple of years!!
This project was also generously supported by local businesses and individual donors, including the Coburn family’s donation to erect educational signage in the arboretum. The first of these signs are now installed in the Generac Welcome and Education Center pavilion on Starin Road. These signs need to be seen in person to truly appreciate how beautiful they are, and how much information is located on them. We are very grateful to the Coburn family for making them a reality! They provide a beautiful and informative entry point to the Arboretum at Starin Park. More signage will follow in the months and years to come.
This effort is primarily volunteer supported. Individuals who may be interested in joining us are encouraged to contact the city Parks and Recreation Department’s Director Kevin Boehm at 262-473-0122. Cash contributions are always needed as are volunteers interested in watering and weeding to maintain the planting beds and to work at the annual Tree Sale. Cash contributions are managed by City of Whitewater staff and 100% of your contribution goes toward Arboretum development efforts. We are also looking for volunteers to serve on the Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission which meets on the 4th Monday of each month at City Hall at 4:30 p.m. If this interests you, please go to the City website to apply electronically. We’re looking forward to meeting you!
Congratulations to the four Whitewater High School students who have been selected to perform with the Wisconsin School Music Association Honors Ensembles. Dante Baker will perform in the Honors Orchestra. Charlotte Hajewski will sing in the Honors Treble Choir. A’lani Ross and Alexander Clarksen will sing in the Honors Mixed Choir. For the 2024 High School State Honors Music Project, almost 1,500 auditions were registered for 429 positions in five ensembles. Selection identifies a student as one of Wisconsin’s finest high school musicians. All students will attend the Honors Project camp in Green Bay this summer and perform in concert at the Overture Center in Madison in October. Thank you to the Whitewater Music Boosters for sponsoring these students!
Editor’s note: The above announcement was submitted by Karen Tordera.
Garage Sale, Saturday April 13
8 am – 2 pm
1638 W. Wildwood, Whitewater WI
Multi family sale: kids clothes, shoes, toys, household items, decor, etc.
Editor’s note: The photo on the homepage is not from this garage sale.
Looking ahead to next week:
Reynolds’ Rummage Sale
12240 E. Bradley Road
Whitewater, WI
Friday April 19th. 9-6pm. Sat. April 20th. 9-2pm
Rain or shine!
A lot of like new/new in the box Baby gear, 2-12” girl’s bikes, Lg. galvanized outdoor pots, adult clothes, dishwasher, household items and decorations!
As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to begin a complimentary “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property.
Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. A few photos may also be included if desired; we prefer jpg format if possible.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, he is seeking applicants for the sheriff of Jefferson County. Sheriff Paul Milbrath is retiring effective August 8, 2024, and the new sheriff will serve for the remainder of Milbrath’s unexpired term ending in January 2027.
In order to apply, one must complete the “Register of Deeds, Coroner, and Sheriff” application form and submit it by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 3. Applicants with questions about the sheriff selection process may contact the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel at GOVSheriffAppointments@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-1212.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.
Celebrate all of the wonderful ways in which all children add to the beauty of our community at the third annual free family-friendly International Children’s Day Celebration on Saturday, April 27 in Whitewater.
This event will include live music, games, crafts, face-painting and other activities for children of all ages and runs from noon until 4 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary School. Information will be available on local and regional services for families. A variety of international food offerings from local organizations will also be for sale.
Marco Wence will perform. A student choir will sing Puerto Rican and Chinese children’s songs including one that honors the Lunar New Year. Lakeview Elementary students will drum. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the talents of our school children and community members.
“Whitewater prides itself on being a community that is supportive of all children and their families. April 27 is an opportunity to celebrate International Children’s Day and those who care for, support, and encourage children here and around the world,” said Miguel Aranda, planning committee member.
Representatives from the Mexican Consulate of Milwaukee will be at the event, providing information and answering questions.
The World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland, proclaimed June 1 to be International Children’s Day in 1925. It is usually marked with speeches on children’s rights and wellbeing, and other events involving or dedicated to children. A similar event, Universal Children’s Day, falls on Nov. 20. It was established by the United Nations in 1954 and aims to promote the welfare of children around the world. The first celebration of International Children’s Day in Whitewater was held in April of 2022. Many countries around the world celebrate the day in late April.
Sponsors of International Children’s Day Celebration include Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater Unites Lives, and Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.
The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs (WFWC) is pleased to announce that its Ladies and Young Ladies Tea Party will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Whitewater’s beautiful Bassett House. We will have two seatings: First Seating 1:00 to 2:00 PM, and Second Seating 3:30 to 4:30 PM. All ladies over six years old are welcome. Delicious refreshments, tea, and lemonade will be served in the charming ambiance of one of Whitewater’s loveliest old homes. This is a wonderful spring tradition that you won’t want to miss.
Ticket prices are $30 for an adult and a child; $10 for additional children; and $25 for a single adult. Make checks out to the WFWC and mail them to Linda Robinson at 957 W. Highland Street/Whitewater, WI 53190. Alternatively, you may pay via Venmo: Whitewater Federation. In either case, please indicate the number of adults attending, the number of children attending (if any), and First or Second Seating. Space is limited, so buy your tickets soon. The ticket purchase deadline is April 14, 2024.
All proceeds will go to the Bassett House Preservation Fund, which the WFWC will use to ensure the preservation of the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s oldest historic homes. The Bassett House is located at 708 W. Main Street in Whitewater.
For more information, contact Linda Robinson at linrob73@gmail.com
As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to offer a complimentary “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property.
Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. If desired you can also include a few photos; we prefer the jpg format if possible.
In this performance, Coral Conant Gilles will come to you as Mardy Murie, the Grandmother of Conservation. From the year 1977, Mardy will share her story, speaking about her life and her work, then answer your questions. After Mardy has answered your questions, Coral will “return” and answer additional questions.
Mardy Murie (1902-2003) has been called the “Grandmother of Conservation.” She was instrumental in the passage of the Wilderness Act and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILC) in 1980. She continued to speak and write on behalf of conservation through the 1980s and 90s.
Mardy Murie grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, the first boomtown of the Alaska gold rush. Always up for an adventure, Olaus Murie, field biologist for the Biological Survey (now Fish and Wildlife), caught her attention with his knowledge and passion for wild places and the animals that inhabit them. The two married and began a lifetime of adventure, exploration, research, and activism.
Come along as Mardy shares stories of their adventures through the Alaskan wilderness studying caribou and waterfowl. Watch her assert her place beside Olaus as his field assistant where she gains vast skills and knowledge. Find awe in how she continues exploring as a mother with children in tow.
Then notice the transition from field studies to activism, taking more adventures into interior Alaska to make recommendations about which areas should be preserved into Wilderness. When Olaus dies, mourn with Mardy and marvel at her strength as she chooses to continue their activism, moving from secretary to testifier at congressional hearings.
Mardy often hosted small gatherings of learners at her home in Moose, WY. People of all ages came to discuss conservation with her, to hear her stories, and to learn from her. For this performance, you are a small group of adults at one such gathering. The year is 1977.
Coral Conant Gilles, Storytelling Naturalist, accidentally became a storyteller while teaching environmental education in the Pacific Northwest in 2008. She now lives on land known to most as Madison, WI, but known to the Ho-Chunk people, from whom it was taken, as Teejop.
Coral uses storytelling and hands-on nature activities to inspire curiosity, empathy, and connection with ourselves, each other, and the natural world. Coral believes these are at the heart of healing within, in relationships, in our communities, and in the greater global community of human and non-human beings. Her work allows her to bring both subtlety and power to that which must be explored.
Register on Eventbrite: https://mardymurie.eventbrite.com
Congratulations are in order for Mr. Paul Majors! Majors was named the 2024 Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association District 6 Wrestling Assistant Coach of the Year. This is an award voted on by the WWCA Coaches in District 6 which includes the area from Clinton, north to Markesan, to Fond Du Lac, to Mukwonago, and to Lake Geneva.
Mr. Majors has been involved in the wrestling program as a volunteer or paid coach for over 20 years and is very deserving of this award. The student-athletes love how well he connects with them and the advice about not only wrestling but more importantly life that he provides. Congratulations, Coach Majors. Job well done!
Article and Photos Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org