News

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Roberta’s Art Gallery at UW-Whitewater.

Engage with the world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication at Roberta’s Art Gallery with “The World of AAC” by UW-Whitewater alum and artist Anastasia (Stasia) Wilson. This exhibit showcases paintings of Wilson’s communication device icons that she sees and selects with her eyes for communication due to her experience with cerebral palsy. She wants to open the broader public to the world of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). After much consideration and planning, Wilson has created a painting of each icon on her communication device, equating to 144 individual paintings. Her artwork will be showcased starting on Tuesday, May 28.

“I was talking with my art mentor about my struggle to make art about my disabilities, and he encouraged me to start right away by painting my assistive technology. I began with a couple of paintings of my hand braces. Then, one day, I was thinking about what to paint next. I asked myself, ‘Girl, what is in front of your face almost 24/7?” says Wilson. In addition to the 144 icon paintings, Wilson’s four-piece Emotions series will be displayed. These pieces, completed in 2005, are part of the Crossman Gallery’s permanent artwork collection. “As an adult, I am so appreciative of this device that gives me my voice. By creating this piece, I will introduce the broader public to the world of AAC. I want to show other people who use AAC that they aren’t alone and provide some support on their journey to accept their augmented voice,” says Wilson.

Anastasia Wilson is the founder of HeadStrong Art. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a minor in English from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Wilson uses specially crafted headgear to hold the paintbrush as she paints because her head has more mobility and control than her hands. Wilson has exhibited previously at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Inspiring Hope Ministries, and is currently collaborating with the Wisconsin-based Chatter Matters overnight camp for AAC users and their families for this exhibit. The open house reception will take place on June 20, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., is open to the public and will include light refreshments.

Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center at 190 Hamilton Green Way, Whitewater, Wis. The gallery collaborates with campus departments, student organizations, and community artists to coordinate and sponsor exhibits. The gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday, with extended hours to 4:30 p.m. during SOAR orientation days on May 29 and 31, along with June 4, 10, 12, 14, 18, and 20. Roberta’s Art Gallery is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

At Roberta’s Art Gallery, we pride ourselves in providing free and open exhibits to the public, and attending certain events can earn students class credit. If you are interested in being featured in the gallery, please contact us for a proposal request. Reach us at ucart@uww.edu or 262-472-3193. Visit our website for any questions or inquiries, and follow our Instagram @uww_rag for updates on exhibits. Anyone interested in learning more about Wilson and her artwork should check out Headstrong Art on Facebook. For more information on Chatter Matters Camp, visit: /www.uww.edu/ce/camps/additional/chatter.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, all of John’s Disposal’s pickups are being delayed a day. City of Whitewater residences will be picked up on Friday.

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office (NWS) has completed its preliminary assessment of the volatile weather in areas near Whitewater in the early evening of Sunday, May 26. Highlights from their report are shown below. NWS determined that there were three EF-0 (the weakest level) tornadoes, including one that ended “in the vicinity of Hwy 12 between Whitewater and Fort Atkinson.” Peak winds were estimated between 65-80 mph. No injuries or major damage were reported in any of the cases.

Tornado – West of Janesville (5 ENE Footville) to Milton
COUNTY NAME: Rock

Date	5/26/24
Time (Local)	5:00 – 5:21 pm
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	80 MPH
Path Length	12.23 miles
Max Width	50 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0
Summary:Tornado began west of Janesville and tracked northeast toward Milton where it went through the High School area and the north central part of town. Mainly tree damage was noted but a bleacher section of a baseball field was lofted over a fence at the high school.

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Tornado – Lake Koshkonong to west of Fort Atkinson
COUNTY NAME: Jefferson

Date	5/26/24
Time (Local)	5:27-5:37 PM
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	65 MPH
Path Length	5.57 miles
Max Width	30 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0
Summary:Developed over northeastern Lake Koshkonong and tracked toward the northwest side of Fort Atkinson. Minor tree damage long its path.

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Tornado – Harmony/Lima Center (East of Janesville) to between Fort Atkinson and Whitewater)
COUNTY NAME: Rock and Jefferson

Date	5/26/24
Time (Local)	5:15 – 5:38 PM
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	80 MPH
Path Length	15 miles
Max Width	50 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0
Summary: It developed east of Janesville and tracked northeast into Jefferson county, ending in the vicinity of Hwy 12 between Fort Atkinson and Whitewater. Trees were uprooted, an empty grain bin was tipped, roof was damaged.

On May 23 the Universities of Wisconsin announced the selection of the 2024–2025 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars.

This year’s program participants come from the Universities of Wisconsin’s 11 comprehensive universities and UW-Milwaukee. Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars (WTFS) must demonstrate excellent teaching skills and have a curiosity about student learning to be nominated by Provosts. The yearlong program begins in late May and will culminate with a research presentation at the annual Spring Conference on Teaching and Learning in April 2025.

WTFS provides UW faculty and teaching academic staff a unique opportunity to collaborate with other exceptional teachers from across the Universities of Wisconsin and from various disciplines. In addition to discussing effective evidence-based teaching and learning approaches, participants are guided through systematic research focused on improving student learning through a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project, the 25^th year of using this format.

Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars is one of three signature programs offered by the Universities of Wisconsin’s Office of Professional and Instructional Development (OPID). OPID supports the Universities of Wisconsin’s’ 13 Centers for Teaching and Learning in fostering a culture of teaching and learning excellence in Wisconsin. Together they offer professional development programs that ensure student learning in face-to-face, online, and blended learning environments. Fay Akindes is OPID Director.

The Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars program is directed by two faculty leaders, Valerie Barske, a history professor at UW-Stevens Point, and Heather Pelzel, a biological sciences professor at UW-Whitewater.

The two 2024-25 Teaching Fellows & Scholars selected from the UW-Whitewater faculty are:

Cody Marie Busch, Assistant Professor, Speech Language Pathology
Rocio Duchesne-Onoro, Associate Professor, Environmental Science

Here is the link for the pre-registration form that is to be submitted by June 7.

Editor’s note: This information was provided by the City of Whitewater Department of Public Works.

Do you have a veteran in your family tree? Join Russell Horton, Archivist at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, for the presentation, “Finding Those Who Served: Military Genealogy.” Learn about sources, tips, and tricks that you can use to learn about your military ancestor from the Civil War to the present. The presentation is hosted by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library and will take place in the library’s community room on the rescheduled date of Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m.

There is no cost or registration to attend. The library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.

We honor and remember the following Whitewater area veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” General George S. Patton.

Taps
29 May 2023 – 27 May 2024

Brian K. Beck
James W. Benes III
Joseph J. Campbell
Albert F. Danz, Sr.
Laurence W. Delaney
Muril T. Fields
Robert A. Fuerstenberg
Gerald W. Lehto
Ed McManaway
Perry D. Moyer
Gerald G. Nell
Robert O. Nelson
Robert C. Obney
David H. Papcke
Jack H. Papcke
Grant E. Rice
Kurt A. Troemel

We apologize if we have omitted the name of any veteran. It is not intentional. We only know what we see reported in the media and other sources.

Steven R. Smith, Adjutant, William Graham Post 173, Whitewater American Legion

An interim municipal judge for the city was just appointed on May 1, but nomination papers are already being circulated for a special election coincidental with the Presidential Election for a term that will begin in April, 2025 and expire in April, 2027. Per City Clerk Heather Boehm, nomination papers must be filed by June 3. The necessary forms may be obtained by a candidate from her office. If there are more than two candidates there will be a primary election on August 13. The position of municipal judge opened due to the resignation of Patrick Taylor, who is moving to California.

Whitewater, has partnered with CivicPlus to implement its Recreation Management software. The cloud-based solution allows residents greater visibility into offered parks and recreation department activities, classes, sports, youth leagues, and more convenient online registration and payment. It will also allow residents to search for and reserve community facilities, such as pavilions, and picnic shelters, all conveniently online.

“I am truly excited to partner with CivicPlus to make the registering for activities and facility rentals in Whitewater easier for patrons,” said Kevin Boehm, City of Whitewater, director of parks and recreation. “We value all of our patrons and are working hard to improve the services we offer. This new software will greatly improve the registration and rental experience. The new software launches on May 28, 2024.”

The CivicPlus Recreation Management software is intuitive to navigate and easy for residents to use. It is mobile-friendly, allowing community members to search for local activities and events, register, and remit payment from any smartphone or tablet.

The software is part of the CivicPlus integrated technology suite of software designed for local governments. “CivicPlus designs innovative solutions for local governments,” said Jennifer Elliott, CivicPlus Director of Product Marketing. “We continually invest in our products to strengthen and transform the way governments work and communicate with their residents. We are proud to partner with Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department to help accomplish their goals.”

Links to the new software will be available on the City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation website at www.wwparks.org

About Whitewater Parks and Recreation:
Whitewater Parks and Recreation is committed to providing diverse recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities in the Whitewater community. Through innovative programming and collaborative partnerships, we strive to promote physical activity, social interaction, and overall well-being.