News

Tuesday, May 5 is the opening outdoor market day!! And the taco truck will be there too!!! So excited to be back and be with everyone again. The market will be back in the parking lot at Cravath Lakefront Park.

Expect to see Kristie’s Creative Kitchen, RedBud Acres, MY Farm, Murphy Farms. The Vegetable Stand, Good Dog Farms, Books By Kimberly, Wood Street Bakery, Kettle Moraine Honey, Jazzed up Marshmallows, Small Batch by Jackie, 3D Printastic, Studio 84, Morningside Farms, and Best Taste!! The Whitewater Fire/EMS will also be present!

We will have a few new vendors this year too. Veggies are already starting to come in for some. The Vegetable Stand will have fresh asparagus and even horseradish plants

Samuel Phoenix Celebrates 90 Years

On April 10, members of the Samuel Phoenix Chapter, NSDAR [National Society Daughters of the American Revolution], celebrated its 90th anniversary with a tea party and historical program at the Terraces of Lake Geneva. The guest of honor was State Regent Gena Selby.

Looking back, the year was 1936, a pivotal year in America, marked by New Deal reforms, natural disasters, cultural milestones and a decisive presidential election. The Great Depression was still deeply influencing our world. The Social Security act became operational. Our President Franklin Delano Roosevelt won a decisive victory over his opponent showing strong support for his New Deal politics. But here in southeastern Wisconsin, in Delavan, other monumental things were happening. Hazel Eugenia Vanderpool Elithorp was organizing a new chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. They petitioned the National Society for adoption and it was accepted and adopted. The Charter read: Whereas certain members of the National Society of the American Revolution, did, under the authorization of the National Board of Management, on the 18th day of April, 1936, organize a Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in the City of Delavan State of Wisconsin. The chapter honored its organizing Regent, Mrs. George Elithorp, by naming the chapter after her ancestor, John Melchert Vanderpool. ancestor.

Other founding officers were Fannie Smith Spurling, Vice Regent; Agnes More Hazard, Secretary; Marvel C. Hobart, Treasurer; Nellie M. Castle Betzer, Chaplain; Miriam Kirkpatrick, Historian; and. Laura Sage Jones, Registrar. Other notable members were Florence Schuyler Ballantyne, Ruth Barker Crowe, Mary Alice Francisco and Geneva Bowler Llewellyn.

Thirty years later, a new board and members decided that the name was too long and petitioned the National Board again and this time asked for a name change to Samuel Phoenix Chapter. Samuel Phoenix and his brother were the founders of Delavan. The national board approved the name change and on April 18, 1936, it became official. Today our membership covers southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Presently, we have 47 members with a few more waiting approvals. We are a service organization that meets monthly. For more information, you may contact Peggy Schutt, Registrar, 608-201-8162, pjs3130@gmail.com. You can also see our announcements on Facebook by entering our chapter name.

Photo names:
Front, left: Sonette Tippens, State Regent Gena Selby, State Vice Regent JaNelle Powers, Peggy Schutt; Middle: Judy Bartlett, Barbara Fadowski, Joanne Laufenberg, Chris Brookes, Kay Sargent, Charlene Staples, Jennifer Muraski, Carolyn Schultz; Back: Janet Zimmerman, Joyce Pagel, Kim Kohls, Brenda Harmon, Kelly Talty, Mary King.

Kettle Moraine Oak Opening State Natural Area gets national recognition for its beauty and biodiversity

Palmyra, Wis.,—The Kettle Moraine Oak Opening State Natural Area is being nationally recognized for its old trees, beauty and biodiversity. It will be formally inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) during an event in Palmyra on May 16, 2026.

The Kettle Moraine Oak Opening is the 11th Wisconsin location to be recognized, joining more than 320 forests nationwide recognized in the Old-Growth Forest Network.

“We’re grateful for the hard work of those who keep the trails open and take care of this place so that old trees, wildflowers and the life they harbor can continue to flourish in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. We’re honored to welcome this place into the national Network.” said Nick Sanchez, Forest Conservation Manager with the Old-Growth Forest Network.

The OGFN is a nonprofit working to recognize at least one forest in every forested county in the United States, creating a roadmap of family-friendly hikes that showcase the beauty, complexity and diversity of the nation’s oldest forests.

Designated as a State Natural Area in 1991, the Kettle Moraine Oak Opening lies in the heart of the jumbled and rugged landscape of the interlobate moraine, an area of glacially-formed kettles, kames, and gravelly hills and ridges. The area is a mixture of oak opening and oak woodland dominated by open-grown bur and black oaks well over a century old. Small dry prairie openings occur on gravel knobs and steep south and west-facing ridges.

The Oak Opening State Natural Area can be accessed via a 1.5-mile portion of the Blue Spring Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail which runs from the southwest corner of the property to the northwest corner. This is a small portion of the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, which follows the extent of the last glacier.

“It’s exciting that the Ice Age Trail passes through a place now officially recognized as old-growth forest,” says Melissa Pierick, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “The Trail already connects people to some of Wisconsin’s most remarkable landscapes. This designation highlights just how special those experiences can be. Now as hikers walk among the old oaks, they’ll appreciate the beauty, history and biodiversity that make the Kettle Moraine Oak Opening so extraordinary.”

Public Invited to recognition ceremony and hike

The day’s festivities will begin with a brief recognition ceremony at Rushing Waters, beginning at 10 a.m. The ceremony will include remarks from Old-Growth Forest Network staff,  Walworth/Jefferson Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers, and Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit volunteers.

Following the ceremony, there will be guided, interpretative hikes through the State Natural Area (3 miles roundtrip). Attendees will learn more about the forest, trees, and Ice Age Trail. An alternative shorter hike will be offered.

Hikers are encouraged to carpool from Rushing Waters due to limited parking at the Bald Bluff Nature Trail. Attendees should register on the OGFN’s website oldgrowthforest.net/upcoming-events.

May 16 Event Details:
 
10 a.m.: Recognition Ceremony Rushing Waters (N301 Co Rd H, Palmyra) 

Followed by Guided Hike: starting at Bald Bluff Scenic Overlook Parking area on Hwy H.

Free Registration at: oldgrowthforest.net/upcoming-events.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

Learn more at whitewaterreferendum.org

For four weeks, Whitewater resident James Olm has been covering different aspects of the Hope Shelter for Ukrainian Refugees in Przemysl, Poland. The last episode, fittingly titled “Distributing Hope” outlines the details of managing supplies in and out of the Shelter to Ukraine, as well as finishing up an interview with one of the Ukrainian refugees.

Please scroll down for the video.

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff

On April 20 a group of people who feel strongly about Whitewater’s future had a minor success when the Common Council voted to lend wastewater utility reserve funds to a private developer for a housing development along the railroad tracks east of what used to be “Strands on the Floor at Bluff Road Marketplace.”

Common Council members had turned down a 0% loan of public funds to the developer on April 9 but at the April 20 special meeting gave the project the go ahead with the revolving loan to be at 3.5%. The vote was 5-2, with councilmembers Hicks, Majkrzak, Orin Smith, Singer and Sahyun voting in favor. Brian Schanen and Michael Smith voted no. The meeting was held on Greg Majkrzak’s last day on the council, with Gavin Kelleher to be sworn in as the District 2 member the next day.

A majority of council members appeared to be swayed by Comptroller Jeremiah Thomas’s argument that the money currently earns “roughly” 3.5% interest and this would at least be a break-even situation. There was an assertion by city staff that it could be a “money-maker.”

The city manager argued that the city Plan Commission and Community Development Authority had both reviewed the project and endorsed it. One council member pointed out that the Plan Commission does not routinely review financing details.

What wasn’t considered thoroughly by council members was the city’s financial advisor’s caution that the agreement would have city staff reviewing and paying the project costs with reimbursement by revolving loan funds contributed by wastewater utility reserves which would “take considerable staff time.” There was also mention by the consultant of the potential to use a state funded revolving loan program which would require payment of a higher interest rate by the developer.

Another of the city’s financial advising firm suggestions is that they consider a commonly used standard “PAYGO” agreement or ‘pay-as-you go” revolving loan program where the developer pays as the project progresses rather than have funding in place, got little or no discussion at last night’s meeting although it may have been discussed in closed session in an earlier meeting. The consultant’s report suggested that under PAYGO “the developer takes the majority of the risk.”

Other concerns were raised by citizens over the lack of experience on the part of the developer, the appropriateness of public funding favoring one developer over another and the lack of the agreed upon loan interest not capturing any compensation for the risk of failure of the project.

The development calls for 14 modular homes to be built on relatively small lots adjacent to an active railroad line. Four units would be built at a time. The developer is projecting that the homes will be selling in the low to mid $300’s, which would be lower than most other current developments. A city authored financial analysis of the developer’s ability to have adequate financial backing to complete the project at each phase indicated only 15% of the cost of constructing each phase of four homes would be covered by the developer.

Concerns voiced over the acknowledged inexperience of the developer did not sway the council members who voted in favor of the agreement rather than slowing down the process or to consider putting out a similarly financed project out to bid by other developers. It was noted that while much of the property that is involved is owned by the city, other parcels are privately owned.

City Press Release

The following press release regarding the project was provided by the city on April 22.

Additional document provided by the city

The following memo, written by Rachelle Blitch, city director of financial and administrative services, was sent to the city manager and Common Council on April 22. A copy was distributed to the press.

Editor’s note: Registration is required; as of this writing, space is still available. To register: Use the QR code above, visit www.edgertonhospital.com, or call 608-884-3441 on Monday. Apologies for the late notice.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Who Have Given Their Lives in the Line of Duty

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #290 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 3, 2026, as a mark of respect for the state’s firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. Gov. Evers also proclaimed May 2-3, 2026, as National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. “Our firefighters run toward danger, putting their health, safety, and life at risk to serve our neighbors during what is often their darkest hour of need. For that, we owe them an incredible debt of gratitude,” said Gov. Evers. “On behalf of the grateful people of Wisconsin, we acknowledge and thank our firefighters and their families for their service and sacrifices, and we pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives in the line of duty in service and the loved ones who miss and mourn them every day. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.” Additionally, on Sat., Sept. 26, 2026, the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial in Wisconsin Rapids will hold the Final Alarm Ceremony honoring the memory of members of Wisconsin’s fire services who have given their lives in the line of duty. Executive Order #290 also orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 26, 2026, in honor of that occasion. Finally, Wisconsin state law, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1), designates the week of October 9th as Fire Prevention Week and the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day annually. To that end, Executive Order #290 also orders the flags be lowered on Sat., Oct. 10, 2026, in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week.