News

It’s movie awards season and Seniors in the Park will be presenting many nominated and winning films over the coming months!

“The Holdovers”

Tuesday, February 13, 1 p.m. 

(Drama/Comedy) Rated R (language)

2 hours, 13 minutes (2023).

A cranky history teacher (Paul Giammati) at an obscure Eastern prep school is forced to stay on campus over the Holidays with the few students and staff  (DaVine Joy Randolph) that have no place to go. Golden Globes were awarded for Best Actor; Supporting Actress. 

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/

Updated Feb. 10 @ 10 p.m.: Per historian Carol Cartwright:”The mill was located next to the old Baker’s garage.” (Jefferson & Main)

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

The second in our series “Gone but not Forgotten,” is the old stone mill. This image, taken in January of 1970, shows the demolition of the frame portion of the mill, also the oldest portion, built in 1839 and the first industry in Whitewater. In 1860, the large stone addition was completed and the mill operated well into the 20th century.

It was two more years (November of 1972) before the rest of the building was demolished, after the owner could not find a way to renovate and reuse the building.

Join us next week for more “Gone but not Forgotten” images.

(2595P, Whitewater Historical Society)

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Stout.

The following student from the area graduated on Dec. 16, 2023, from University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. The university graduated 526 students, with 440 undergraduate and 86 Graduate School students this fall.

UW-Stout has more than 45 undergraduate programs and more than 20 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate of 99.4% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001. 

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

Whitewater, WI

 Cassandra Hoxie, BS Computer and Electrical Engineering

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The Community Space (TCS) recognized their fifth anniversary on February 1 with a Celebration Open House including a potluck picnic. TCS gratefully accepts donations from Feeding America, businesses, and individuals, stocking the large building with food, clothing, furniture, books, and housewares. It’s something like a thrift store with food, except everything is free, and it’s open to all, without restrictions. No one knows if there’s anything like it, anywhere in the country, and it’s run entirely with volunteers and donations. Hours are Tuesday 8:30-11:00 a.m., Wednesday 3:30-7:00 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – noon. Donations are accepted at the rear of the building during the same hours, up until fifteen minutes before closing. TCS is located at 834 E. Milwaukee Street in Whitewater. The organization recently achieved 501(c)(3) status, and monetary donations may be sent to P. O. Box 213, Whitewater, WI 53190. More information may be found on their website.

Remarks that were given at the celebration by Executive Director Kristine Zaballos, and Site Manager Kay Robers, as well as by Jorge Islas-Martinez and two English as a Second Language (ESL) learners may be viewed here. Zaballos and Robers provided some of the history of the Community Space, including the essential food and services that they provided to many people during the early days of COVID-19. Of particular note was the generosity of the Coburn family in donating the use of the former Coburn Company building for the agreed upon rent of $10 per month. Zaballos indicated that she doesn’t remember ever paying the rent. Islas-Martinez, who co-founded and directs the ESL program for the Whitewater Unified School District, expressed appreciation for the opportunity that TCS has offered to provide space for morning classes. Previously the classes had only been scheduled in the evening at the high school, when some interested people were unable to attend. Anna and Margarita, two of the successful students, spoke and expressed how much of a difference it has made for them to be able to communicate in English.

The following area students have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the fall semester of the 2023-24 academic year, ending December 2023.

Qualification for the Dean’s List is limited to students who have attained outstanding academic achievement. To be eligible, students must have earned at least a 3.5 semester grade point average and carried a minimum of 12 credits. 

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of the 13 four-year institutions comprising the Universities of Wisconsin. UWL offers 130-plus degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels in arts, social science and humanities; science and health; business; and education. UW-La Crosse – www.uwlax.edu – is a top-ranked national university.

Students on the Dean’s List from this area include:

Whitewater, WI

 Bryce Hibbs, Communication Studies Major: Organizational and Professional Communication Emphasis
 Josie Hintz, Finance Major
 Morgan Janovec, National Student Exchange
 Catherine Skindingsrude, Biology Major

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club will be holding a sit-down, dine-in Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 16 from 6:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. (or until the pancakes run out).  All are invited to bring their appetites to the Old Armory, 146 W. North Street, in downtown Whitewater.  No tickets will be sold, and people are asked to make a donation of at least $7 to help cover the food costs and support our charitable mission.  Additional donations are welcome to help support the children that Kiwanis serves.

Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club President Patrick Taylor said, “We are so excited to see people in person and enjoy camaraderie and friendship as we feast on the delicious Kiwanis pancakes and Jones sausage.  The Old Armory has been our home-base for years, and we are continuing that tradition.” 

Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100% of funds raised going directly to youth projects and zero to administrative costs. Over the past five years the club raised funds to make possible the recent installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park.  Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.

If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Club by contacting Patrick Taylor at Petaylor.law@gmail.com.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Whitewater’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America [FBLA] traveled to Columbus High School on Saturday, February 3rd for the Regional Leadership Conference. It was filled with inspiring future and business experiences. Six members of the group qualified to compete at the state competition, including Ghati Binagi and Alexandra Meyer with Broadcast Journalism, Mia Islas with Public Speaking, Aidyn Amundson and Xavier Zei with their Business Plan, and finally, Jared Apgar with Word Processing. The students are thrilled to be traveling to Green Bay in April for the state competition. 

Mia Islas – FBLA President
Ghati Binagi – FBLA Vice President
Alex Meyer – FBLA Secretary

Article and Photo Collage Submitted by Baron West
Whitewater High School FBLA Advisor
bwest@wwusd.org

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The Common Council at its February 6 meeting spent over an hour interviewing the seven individuals who had applied to serve out one of the two unexpired terms resulting from the passing of at-large member Jim Allen and the resignation of District 1 representative David Stone. Three of the applicants had served previously on the council, two of whom were chosen to fill the vacant seats. Each of the candidates was asked a standard list of eight questions, including their reasons for seeking a seat, their qualifications, and their perspectives on items such as council transparency and budget decisions.

Curtis Knull and Patrick Singer applied to serve as the representative for District 1 until April, 2025. After the interviews the council voted by secret ballot and appointed Singer to the position. Though he has continued to actively participate in city government, currently by serving as chair of the Community Development Authority, Singer chose not to seek reelection to the council in 2021. He had served for 14 years, initially representing the 5th District, and beginning in 2013, in one of the two at-large positions.

Joseph Kromholz, Carol McCormick, Greg Majkrzak, Michael Smith, and Keith Staebler applied to serve as an at-large member until April 16, 2024. Majkrzak, who served previously representing District 5, and Staebler are the two candidates who will appear on the April 2 ballot for the same seat. Although candidates for an interim position are allowed to run for the permanent seat, Council President Neil Hicks expressed the opinion that it would be best not to chose one of those individuals, as he offered them the opportunity to withdraw their applications. Neither did so. Again using secret ballots, the council chose McCormick to fill a role that will be expected to include attendance at only four regular council meetings. She decided not to run for reelection in 2023 after representing District 1 on the council for six years.

After taking the oath of office Singer and McCormick were immediately seated at the council table to participate in the remainder of the meeting.

Councilmembers expressed appreciation that so many individuals were willing to serve in the interim positions, and Hicks encouraged all of them to consider getting involved by applying to serve on a board or commission.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announced its 2023 winter graduating class.

The following students who consider Whitewater to be their home earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at winter commencement, held December 16, 2023:

Patrice Achu graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – DBA

Lucas Ackman graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Media Arts and Game Development – BS

Kenna Breckon graduated with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Case Calhoun graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Mathematics – BS

Gia Donofrio graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Communication – BA

Ian Drays graduated with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE

Devin Fitzer graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Information Technology – BBA

Anthony Gamboeck graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Lucas Gonzalez graduated with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE

Bennett Grzeszczak graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Jaylah Harris graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Hawk Heffner graduated with the following degree: General Business – BBA

Taylor Jacque graduated with the following degree: Mathematics – BS

Cally Julson graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: History – BSE

Ben Kloskey graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Geography – BS

Brett Knowlton graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Natalie LaBreche graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: English Literature & Language Arts Education – BSE

Anthony LaPoint graduated with the following degree: Sociology – BS

Rylan Maly graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Meg McGinley graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Rachel Mickelson graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Accounting – BBA

Katlyn Miller graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Early Childhood Education – BSE

Trevin Oertel graduated with the following degree: Environmental Safety and Health – MS

Benjamin Oldenburg graduated with the following degree: Mathematics – BS

Molly Parrish graduated with the following degree: Applied Arts and Sciences – BAAS

Evan Shaw graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Geography – BS

Shelby Starrett graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Art Education – BSE

Zeke Steuerwald graduated with the following degree: Certificate – School Business Management

Brandon Terwilliger graduated with the following degree: Music – BM

Brooks Tiedeman graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Jacob Veeder graduated with the following degree: Supply Chain Management – BBA

Chloe Welak graduated with the following degree: Supply Chain Management – BBA

April Wright graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AA

Conner Young graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Legal Studies – BS

Shaun Young graduated with the following degree: Environmental Safety and Health – MS

Andrea Zimmermann graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BS

Mark Zimmermann graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: History – BSE

Approximately 620 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees at the ceremony, held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.

The graduating class included three international students, 64 military veterans and 141 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 74 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.

A total of 50 students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, earned acceptance to graduate school or started their own business before commencement.